3.5 Stars

Gemma Tate, a nurse, is shocked to hear of her twin brother’s death in an accident. Soon, she realizes he could have been murdered based on his last-minute notes in the pocketbook. 

Inspector Sebastian Bell is assigned to handle the murder of a young woman in the Highgate Cemetery. It doesn’t take him long to realize that the stakes are high. 

Gemma and Sebastian find a common point in the cases. However, Sebastian is worried that Gemma wants to investigate. After all, it could put her life in grave danger. But the case needs to be solved and the killer caught. 

The story comes in Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell’s third-person POVs. 

I like Victorian mysteries dealing with the darker side of London. This one belongs to the same category. Geema is a twenty-seven-year-old nurse who previously worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimea. Her twin brother, Victor, is a writer and a journalist. 

Inspector Sebastian Bell isn’t who he was before tragedy struck. Now, he relies too much on alcohol and opium to numb the pain. This case could make or break it for him. Despite the not-so-appealing introduction, it is easy to like Sebastian. He is dedicated to solving the crime without taking shortcuts. 

Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to characters likely to feature in the coming books. Even otherwise, the cast is quite large. We can follow the case without confusion. However, talking multiple times about a character that isn’t active anywhere in the book doesn’t help. Not likely that all readers will remember him for the next one. 

The content is dark and deals with triggering topics (check TW). There’s some fluff in the middle, which leads to a rushed ending and sudden confessions. Spacing this would have helped. 

I was rather surprised by the direction the case took. While it does show the ugly side of things, I wasn’t sure if the connection was realistic. The conclusion is decent, though I’m not impressed. (So, some people from one Abrahamic religion show interest in converting to another monotheistic religion, while the culprits use pagan rituals to satisfy their lusty cravings. Ugh!) 

Gemma and Sebastian don’t meet until we cross the first third of the book. However, that is a natural progression of the plot. Of course, it’s clear that Gemma has a good brain and uses it. She is also someone who can put people in place and stand firm despite her grief. 

Given the setting and the period, the case is mainly handled by Sebastian. I did expect this. However, halfway through, the book feels more like the MMCs while the FMC becomes a side character. If the series is named Tate and Bell, the Tate lady has to have an equal role! 

Moreover, the chemistry between the two is non-existent at this point. That’s okay since both have different immediate concerns. But there seems to be a slight progress that happened off-page and is casually mentioned in a line. That can be an issue if the trend continues. 

There’s a lead for the next book, so I will read it and then decide. I like the easy writing style, so despite the hard topics, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

To summarize, The Highgate Cemetery Murder is an intriguing mystery and a decent series starter. I had greater expectations and felt the book could be better. 

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

 3.8 Stars

Dr. Kumara Sidhartha has almost 30 years of experience working with Eastern and Western patients to help them streamline their nutritional intake for better health. The book focuses on the benefits of plant-based nutrition while examining the causes, concerns, and reasons for various health issues. 

Dr. Kumara Sidharta is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is certified in Plant-based Nutrition by e-Cornell University and T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. 

TBH, medical books aren’t my thing. However, I had to read one for a reading challenge prompt and got an opportunity to review this book at the same time. The decision was a no-brainer. 

I didn’t know what to expect, but quite liked the presentation. Instead of long paragraphs of medical jargon, we get the content in a question-and-answer conversational format. The doctor writes majorly from the body’s first-person POV as if the body is talking to the individual and discussing the problems they need to solve together. Such a cool presentation, right? 

Each chapter has a different fictional character with a specific topic of discussion. In some cases, the person is suffering from a health issue. In some, the person follows a healthy lifestyle and shares tips. This ensures a good variety of conversations and prevents monotony. 

Nevertheless, a book about the human body cannot be simple. There are many medical terms and explanations. While some are easy to follow, others can be complicated. Still, each chapter also has a summary that lists the key points discussed. 

Though we get many wonderful tips, it is soon apparent that the book promotes plant-based food (vegan diet). So, almost everything else is termed unhealthy and harmful to the body. As someone who believes in a more balanced approach, I didn’t particularly like it. Doctors from different domains promote different diets, so, no point in trying to compare them. Do what works for your body is my motto. 

The book is 347 pages long and is super slow, which is expected. Fortunately, only ~200 pages deal with the human body, cells, diseases, health, etc. The next 100+ pages are recipes. Yes! It was such a surprise to find so many healthy plant-based recipes with detailed notes (and possible substitutions) provided in the same book. No need to search for recipes online. It’s a package deal. The last 40+ pages have footnotes, stats, references, etc. (532 in total). 

 To summarize, All My Secrets is a comprehensive and informative book about how plant-based food is good for health and ways to lead a better life. 

My thanks to Indica and the author for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

*** 

In the preface, the doc introduces the topics and talks about the Hanuman syndrome (a case where a person needs another person to remind them of their abilities). Here, he gives a short summary of the Ramayana. All good, except that I have no effing idea which version of Ramayana that is. No offense, but the least they could do is see if the basic details align with the general storyline. Strange since the references to Agni or Kubera don’t have the same issue. 

 3.7 Stars

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town for anyone who wants to disappear. Detective Casey and her husband, Sheriff Eric, are happy with their new town. They set strict rules to prevent accidents in the forest. No one should wander off alone into the woods. 

One day, Max, the town’s youngest resident, fears that a bear with human eyes is stalking their hiking party. Naturally, Casey and Eric are taking it seriously. However, too many odd occurrences cause confusion, and soon there’s a dead body. The couple has to sort out the issue and keep the residents safe. 

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

Haven’s Rock is fully functional and has residents. Unlike Rockton, they decide to take in kids too, so Dana is here with her sons Carson (teenager) and Max (ten yo). It is an interesting place and has small-town vibes (which it is). I like how the idealistic thought behind the town clashes with the judgmental attitude of its citizens. It creates a nice contrast to show that ‘victims’ aren’t always empathetic to other victims’ pain. 

Max gets a few chapters in the third-person POV, and I liked his voice much more than Cassie’s. His character arc comes out so well in his chapters. (Rounded the rating to 4 stars only for Max) 

Unfortunately, I’m still struggling to connect with Casey and Eric. They are good people – smart, competent, capable, determined, and kind-hearted. Yet, I don’t feel the pull. Moreover, there’s a development I’m not ready for. 

That aside, I think my issue is with the repetition. We are told many times that April is not rude and loves her sister. Makes sense to say it once or twice per book since readers need to know the backstory. We don’t need a reminder each time Casey and April interact. Who is Casey assuring? Us or herself? 

The mystery is twisted and good. There’s repetition here, too, and a lot of back-and-forth dialogue (some of which can be edited). Still, the suspense sustains well. I’m not too happy with the reveal, but since there’s a huge lead for book #3, I’ll wait and see where it goes. 

Lilith and Nero make an appearance again, which makes me happy. I wouldn’t mind if they got extra page space. They are more interesting than some other characters. The mining neighbors have a bigger role, though. 

The forest setting is yet again my favorite. Storm is a darling dog, and his near-constant presence makes the story more interesting. I sure wouldn’t mind if we got his POV. Heck, I’d love that! 

To summarize, The Boy Who Cried Bear gives me the same vibes as the book one in the series, which means it is a decent read but nothing great. I might read book #3 as it could have answers to some questions in this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin (Minotaur Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.7 Stars

A new town is being built deep in the Yukon wilderness. It is Casey and Eric’s dream project after Rockton was destroyed. However, the project manager asks them to come and find two missing employees. The site had one simple rule – don’t go into the forest. Turns out, quite a few people did not follow the rule. 

Now, Casey and Eric have to find the missing crew. It shouldn’t have been hard. But the couple finds a lot more than they expected. With many threads to follow, it is hard to untangle the mess. But they should, that too before things get even more complicated and dangerous. 

The story comes from Casey’s first-person POV (with a Prologue in the third-person). 

I haven’t read the Rockton series but started with the connecting novella to get a better idea. This one happens a year after Dead Letter Days. 

From what I gather, the lead couple wants to rebuild Rockton, but according to their ideas, to minimize the risk of threat (which would make this series boring, so the murders will have to continue). 

I enjoy stories set in the woods, so this one does make me happy to a good extent. Limited access to technology means the mystery has a touch of old-world charm, which is another plus. And there’s no mention of social media. Yippee! 

The action scenes are fun to read and entertaining. Quite a few characters are rude (with some reason/ backstory to justify their actions. This can go either way. I didn’t mind since I’m yet to connect to the lead pair and feel strongly on their behalf. I do like the new character, though. 

The pacing is slow and drags in the middle; a surprise since I expected a fast-paced mystery. Still, it isn’t boring. There are enough twists to keep the reader interested. The book ends on a mild cliffhanger, though the case is solved. 

To summarize, Murder at Haven's Rock is a decent beginning to a new series with characters from an established one. I can’t say if you’ll like it more if you read the previous series. You might know the characters, so find it easier to follow. Or, you may find it a rehash of the same thing in a new setting. 

 3.5 Stars

One Liner: Informative 

Eric Dalton and his girlfriend, Casey Butler, along with their friends, are currently holed up in luxury lodges in the wilderness. After the destruction of Rockthon, a haven for those who want to disappear, they decide to build a similar community with a lesser focus on profit and hopefully fewer murders. One day, Eric and Casey find an old love letter and try to find out what happened to the woman who wrote it. 

The story comes from Eric’s first-person POV. 

This novelette does what it is supposed to do – connect two series and act as an introduction for the new series. Readers who haven’t read the seven Rockthon books can start with this one to dive into the Haven’s Rock series (with the same lead characters but in a different setting). 

The book gives a light summary of what happened earlier while also bringing closure to Eric’s past and solving a simple mystery on the side. We get an idea of the characters, their relationship, the dynamic between the friends, etc. It also helps to see things from Eric’s POV (since the series comes from Casey’s perspective). 

To summarize, Dead Letter Days is a short read and a necessary one if you want to begin Haven’s Rock series. That’s the only reason I grabbed this book. 

4 Stars
 

How did we reach the eighth book already? Flora and Jack are delightful characters, and you can’t help but root for them when they go sleuthing. 

While the book still works as a standalone, it’ll be more enjoyable if you read at least the previous 2-3 books. The dynamics in their relationship will be easier to understand with some background knowledge. 

The mystery is independent and decently done. The reveal makes sense, and we take a logical path to uncovering the secrets. Flora and Jack have some differences of opinion, but both have the same goal –dig up the truth and find the killer. 

There’s a sub-track, which I thought would be complex. However, I like how it is sorted. This is a cozy mystery, after all. No point in complicating things more than necessary. 

Young Charlie is fifteen now! Can you believe it? I miss his younger days, though I hope he’ll one day play a bigger role in solving a crime (pretty please). 

The books in the series are small, compact, and steady-paced. This one is no different. I’d have liked it better if we got a little more detail about the crime conference and the authors who attended. While one of them gets space, there is no chance of character development. 

As always, I love historical settings in my cozy mysteries. Abbeymead village in 1958 is old-school but with more touches of modernity than the locals would like to accept. Yet, we see a balanced narrative where the side characters are good but with some flaws, and the grumpy ones have some redeeming qualities. 

To summarize, The Library Murders is a solid addition to the series and an entertaining read. There are a couple of leads for the next book, so I’m curious to see where it goes (and hopefully no more delays for the wedding). 

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

#NetGalley #TheLibraryMurders 

 3.7 Stars

Lady Charlotte Lovett has no intention of marrying Viscount Hawley, not when rumors say he killed his previous two wives. The only way to get out of the engagement is to prove his crimes. That’s easier said than done. 

Mathew Talbot is Hawley’s younger brother and an odd one out in society with a love for animals. He is a surgeon and prefers to spend time with animals than humans. When Charlotte decides to investigate his brother’s unsavory past, Mathew has to keep her away from danger as well as his own secrets. Moreover, his heart seems to grow fonder of Charlotte, but a future with her is not easy. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Charlotte and Mathew. 

Well, this isn’t your typical historical romance. It is a blend of adventure, mystery, comedy, and romance. The content is darker, too. 

Random bits of comedy are inserted to keep things light. This may or may not work for everyone. I did like Pan the Parrot and Banshee the Monkey. I needed that light tone. 

We already know who the villain is (the dude is a cardboard cutout with zero personality, but okay!), so we need to see how his villainy will come to light. The parents are one dimensional too, the typical ton who only cares about appearances and titles. 

What saves the book is the friendship/ relationship between Charlotte, Mathew, Alexander, Hannah, and Sophia. Alexander is Charlotte’s twin and someone with great potential. Mathew has his demons to fight but is an endearing character. 

The focus is more on the coffee-room culture and the dynamics between the rich and the not-rich, titled and untitled, etc. There are few liberties taken, but we can get the essence of the setting. 

The found family trope is rather heartwarming to read. I also like how the book discusses colonization, slavery, gender and racial discrimination, etc., without weighing down the plot. It helps that the plot is straightforward (despite the pretense of mystery). 

The prose gets too prose-y (I like purple but not purple prose), and the vibes are modernish. This can be off-putting for some readers. I didn’t mind much as I’ve read such writing. It seems to be a trend anyway. 

The romance begins in the last quarter and has kissy-kissy scenes. However, it is low on steam. I found that it suits the storyline and characters. It may not be enough for some readers. 

There’s no miscommunication, though people keep secrets from each other for a long time. It makes sense in a way, so can’t complain much. 

We also get an epilogue with a lead for the next book in the series. Naturally, I will read it. Despite the excessive prose, the pacing is decent enough to finish the book in a couple of days. 

To summarize, Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man is an entertaining book if you want a mash of genres and a light read that doesn’t tax your brain (only if you don’t think too much about some elements). The author’s note is informative. Don’t miss it. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #LadyCharlotteAlwaysGetsHerMan 

 3 Stars

Cassie Andrews works in a cozy café-cum-bookstore and has a routine life. One evening, she is gifted a unique book by an old customer. Taking it home, Cassie and her friend Izzy discover that the book is magical and can take them to any place through the door. Cassie is delighted to own the Book of Doors, enjoying the prospect of traveling at a whim. 

However, she doesn’t acknowledge the danger the book attracts until faced with violence and danger. There’s a mysterious man who can help her. However, Drummond Fox is battling his demons and hiding from enemies. Out there is someone so evil that nothing will stop them from getting what they want. 

The story comes in multiple POVs of Cassie, Drummond, Lund, The Woman, Lottie, and a few others. 

How can I resist a premise like that? I don’t bother with comparisons (unless they involve a book I hate), but I do have the mentioned titles in my TBR, so it counts (maybe). 

The concept of books as magical objects, not just a door to places and different times, but with an ability to do good or evil, is fascinating. 

Time as a cyclic (and wheel-like) entity aligns with the Indic theory, so it was easy enough to go with the flow despite the lack of explanation. 

Characters are important for any book. What can a reader do if she doesn’t connect with the MC? I wasn’t impressed with Cassie, and my opinion didn’t change even at the end. Izzy was better (if we ignore how physical attributes are important for most women in the book). 

Drummond could have been ‘the MMC’, but he was uninspiring. A bookish male lead is a great idea. Having him act as a ‘coward’ instead of a fighter is also a nice touch. He can still be interesting, given the potential in his backstory. 

The Woman- I loved her intro. Imagine an antagonist who is evil personified and will destroy the world with nonchalance. My kinda lady! However, she has no character development. That’s all she is, which makes her as solid as a torn page. And the reason for her evilness is… I don’t know. I like the concept but not the execution. It feels so anticlimactic. 

The uneven pacing and multiple POVs didn’t help either. Though we get the story from different perspectives, none of them are compelling narrators. The magic system was okay, but nothing wow. I also have some questions. 

I appreciate the gory parts being matter-of-fact (or maybe they weren’t, but I couldn’t connect). Either way, nothing moved me- not Cassie's grief or the Woman’s evil. 

There’s a hint of what could be called romance, but thankfully, we don’t explore it. The best decision made in the book. I rounded the rating up to 3 stars just for this. 

To summarize, The Book of Doors has an intriguing premise but is underwhelming as a whole. Of course, if you connect with the FMC, you will enjoy the book a lot more. 

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

#NetGalley #TheBookofDoors 

 4.5 Stars

Little Lilo is worried. He has to go on a summer vacation and leaves his plants alone at home. But how can his precious plants survive without water? With some help from friends and family, Lilo comes up with an innovative idea for self-watering plants. But the route to success is filled with bumps and roadblocks. 

The book seamlessly blends a multitude of lessons and doesn’t feel the least bit overwhelming. The science concepts are kept simple and easy. Lilo fails a few times before succeeding, which makes his progress authentic. Most importantly, he asks for advice and gets it from friends and family members. 

Parents and teachers reading the book together will have much to think about. There are many points for discussion – determination, support without control, good advice, what to do with the advice, the need to take a break, etc. The book ends with a bead necklace that summarizes the lessons into neat beads (with different-colored borders). I love this idea. 

The content is placed on each page and comes in short paragraphs. Important words are in bold. The illustrations are softer with more pastel shades. Not something I prefer much, but they suit the storyline perfectly. (Young) Readers will find it easy to focus on the text and its message instead of getting distracted by the artwork. And when a book combines science and life lessons, the text is a priority! 

To summarize, Inventor Adventure is a delightful book with many lessons and a touch of fun. It is inspiring without being preachy and in the face. Grab a copy for your little ones. You won’t regret it. 

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

#NetGalley #InventorAdventure 

 4 Stars

Detective Alana Mack is worried when a woman goes missing from the same train where another one has died. It appears that a killer is targeting women and leaving their bodies along Dublin’s Dart train line. As bodies pile up, Alana knows she has to solve the case as soon as possible. 

Things get even more complex when she receives a threatening message. Can Alana use the clues to find the killer and prevent more deaths? 

The story comes in third-person POVs from Alana (more), Paddy, Lorrie, and the killer. 

The second book in the series reads well as a standalone. It is also better than the first book in many ways. The POV jumps are not random but are limited to four characters and come in different chapters. There’s no excessive dwelling on the past except for a couple of references for new readers. 

Multiple cases soon converge into a single/ dual track. The circumstances are such that the police are trying hard for a breakthrough. This means they go through the same information a few times. However, something new turns up each time to prevent monotony. 

Alana is also better in this one. Yeah, she is still abrupt and a touch rude. But it doesn’t put the reader off. We can see her stress and the calculated risks she has to take. Moreover, her thoughts and emotions are centered on the cases most of the time, so it is easier to empathize with her. Her disability is seamlessly woven into the plotline to keep it real and is aligned with her arc. 

We get the killer’s POV quite early, which means it is easy to guess who it is. I did guess who it was in the first third itself, but that didn’t make the story any less intriguing. There are a couple of twists, though nothing major. Yet, the plotline keeps you hooked to see if you’re right. 

The pacing is slow, as I assumed. This will be a slowish series, and that’s okay. The story doesn’t drag. Moreover, things take time when the police and forensics are involved. 

Alana and Paddy make a great team. The non-romantic relationship between them is a great plus. Paddy has a side track, which adds a layer to his character. They are both complex people, so the series should be interesting as we proceed. 

The Dublin setting doesn’t come alive in this one, but there’s enough to follow the case. The setting has changed from book one to two (it was a seaside place last time), so that could also be the reason. 

The ending has a touch of hope for Alana’s personal track, though she and I are in no hurry to take the leap. Let’s go slow and steady. 

To summarize, Roses for the Dead is a compact police procedural with some intriguing characters and an absorbing plot. Looking forward to the next in the series. 

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

#NetGalley #RosesForTheDead