3 Stars

One Liner: Well… I wish I liked it better

Sophy and Vyerin, respective siblings of E. and Henerey, finally figured out what had happened. Now, they are on a mission to search and bring back their loved ones. They even discover the elusive Entries. However, before they can succeed, an ancient cosmic threat could destroy everything.

Will the siblings reunite, and can E. and Henerey have their HEA without any threats looming overhead?

This is an epistolary novel and comes in a series of letters, journal entries, notes, records, etc.

My Thoughts:

This is not a standalone. You have to read the previous book before you get to this. As much as I want to tell you that you should read them together, I won’t. The pacing is so slow that back-to-back such books could put you in a slump. Space books #1 and #2, with a couple of quick reads in between.

In a way, this book does feel easier to read. However, it is also a chore. There’s a bit of intrigue about what the danger is or what could have happened, but honestly, it takes too long to get to the point. This was okay in the previous book since it set the stage. Here, there isn’t enough plot for a 400-page book, and yet, it feels like I’ve read an 800-page tome. In short, it drones on and on.

The bits with E. and Henerey are still adorable and made the book more bearable. Scholar 30.ii is also cute in a bumbling way. They brought some much-needed lightness to the narrative.

Also, imagine a world where being on time for an appointment means they arrive four hours early! Sounds funny until they knock on your door at 4 AM because you planned to meet at 8 AM. Still, the scene made me laugh.

Since the whole thing is essentially notes, letters, and records, there’s a lot of stream-of-consciousness rambling, which goes overboard in many places. Just because something is fun to write doesn’t make it fun to read. Sorry, I say this as an author myself.

The mental health rep is wonderfully done. It shows the situations without making it preachy or OTT. There are other themes like the dark side of academia, fear of the unknown, restrictive perspectives, personal prejudices, influence, etc. None of them feel forced, so that’s a good thing.

I liked meeting the mysterious sea woman again. Wouldn’t have minded if she had more space.
The world-building is interesting. There are details, though not enough to explain everything. In a way, this is good. The book is a slog as it is. However, I could visualize the domes, the library, the underwater garden, the rooms, etc. No complaints here.

It takes way too long to get to the Antepelagic insights, the backstory, and stuff. The Predator doesn’t feel the least bit scary either. In a way, it’s good that he isn’t mentioned often.

The climax and ending are… lackluster… bland and underwhelming. Not that I expected anything big given the tone so far, but what we get is just too weak to make a proper impact. I can see why it ends with that entry. It’s a saving grace for those who enjoyed the book more for E. and Henerey.

To summarize, A Letter from the Lonesome Shore has a few nice things to offer, but doesn’t give the same experience as the previous book, despite offering a conclusion. I wish I enjoyed it better!

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

#NetGalley #ALetterFromTheLonesomeShore 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Time-traveled to Venice in the late 1950s

Flora and Jack finally arrived in Venice for their belated honeymoon. Jack is determined that nothing will come in the way of their time together. However, they find out that the hotel’s receptionist, Franco (whom they saw arguing with someone), was found dead, floating face down in the Grand Canal. Flora is itching to know more, but not Jack! 

Then comes another mystery of missing things and people – a large painting and a housekeeper. Are the cases connected? What’s happening in Venice? With Flora determined to find the truth, Jack knows he has to do his bit to solve the crimes. He can only hope their sleuthing doesn’t put their lives at risk… again! 

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs. 

 My Thoughts:

This is the eleventh book in the series and should work as a standalone, though it’ll help to read a couple of previous ones to get an idea about the sleuthing couple. 

I wish the official blurbs weren’t so detailed or elaborate. We don’t need to know that much before starting a mystery. I say, read the first paragraph and leave the other two. 

This was an interesting book. Firstly, the lead pair is on their honeymoon, a delayed one, too! Naturally, Jack doesn’t want to go around sleuthing and flirting with danger. I admit to empathizing with him more, though he doesn’t hesitate when the time comes. 

I normally like Flora's attitude. Her desire for justice is noteworthy, and she’s got the brain for it. Even her hunches tend to be correct most of the time. However, she managed to annoy me a few times here. No point putting herself in danger and then worrying about it, right? She does it more than once, and I wondered why her character is becoming so desperate to solve a case. It was the same in the last book too, if I remember right. Some sort of identity crisis, maybe? She needs a full-time job now that her shop has an assistant. 

The mysteries are quite good! There are quite a few twists and turns as new information is revealed, and it’s hard to determine who speaks the truth. 

Of course, we get a tour of Venice, but from 1959, so it’s more beautiful, less crowded, and has an old-world charm. Though the city has signs of war and destruction, it is relatively less polluted. 

And yes, there’s loads of food too. As Jack says, why go to Italy if you don’t enjoy food? Though I’m sad they skipped dessert a few times after the meals. How could you do that? Dessert is compulsory! 

The book ends with a potential lead for the next one. There’s a mysterious new entry in Abbeymead, and people are gossiping about him. How is he? Maybe we’ll know in book #12! 

To summarize, The Venice Murders is an entertaining read set in a beautiful city. While it does feel a bit formulaic, it is still a decent addition to the series. 

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

#NetGalley 

Forty-eight-year-old Cordelia has never completed anything in her life and has nothing to mark as her achievement. With support from her cousin, she swims the English Channel, hoping to finish it and prove herself. 

During the hours of swimming, Cordelia thinks about her life from her childhood, the insecurities, taunts, failures, self-sabotages, and everything she quits when it gets hard. As she swims toward the other end, Cordelia knows she can grasp her future with both hands and spend it with someone who believes in her. 

The story comes in Cordelia’s first-person POV with a few random chapters from others’ third-person POVs. 

I was tempted by the premise of a woman with past trauma taking up such a challenge to prove her worth to herself first. Naturally, her past wouldn’t be easy, and as expected, it wasn’t. 

The first-person POV does a good job of taking the readers into the MC’s mind and the mess inside it. The narrative style is a bit chaotic initially, but you’ll get used to the pattern. Though I haven’t watched the movies she mentions, I could understand their significance in her life. 

The pacing is super slow, which works in the first half. However, the second half feels stretched beyond its limit. Many times, I caught myself looking at the % and wondering when we’ll get to the endpoint. The book could have been 30-40 pages shorter. This would have made the whole concept more effective, too. 

There are many hard themes here – fat shaming, dysfunctional families, selfish mothers, toxic relationships, bulimia, body dysmorphia, self-destruction, mental illness, racism, homophobia, AIDS, bullying, generational trauma, and many more. 

This is a heavy read, and as more details are revealed, it gets heavier. That’s okay to an extent. It is good to wind the key and keep the reader in a state of suspended tension for the MC. However, over-tightening the key and repeating the pattern after it has been established works in reverse. That’s what happened in the second half. I first thought this would be a 4.5-star read, easily. 

The MC is not exactly likable. She is flawed and has a truckload of trauma to process, which she refuses to do. While the swimming does bring some growth in her arc, there isn’t a lot of progress. In a way, this is realistic. People don’t change so quickly after all. But as a reader, it doesn’t feel frustrating. Of course, there were so many instances when I wanted to hug her younger version. 

The side characters are decent. Derek/ Desi, the cousin, stands out for being the one person who stood for the MC despite everything. I really liked that guy. David was okay. He tried his best. 

We get random third-person POVs from around 45%. While Desi’s POVs were useful and David’s POV was necessary, I can’t say the same for the others. These felt more like a way to provide the missing detail. But we already have too much information! 

The book ends on a hopeful note, and we can only hope the MC won’t revert to her self-destructive ways. At least, we won’t know if she does! 

To summarize, The Swim is a slow-paced, introspective, and heavy read about coming to terms with one’s past trauma. It is a good book. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

Goodnight, Kansas 

People don’t move to goodnight when everything in their lives is going well. No wonder the entry of Chef Sid Solvang and his family creates curiosity. Sid may not want to cook again ever, but he also doesn’t want to stay in his wife’s childhood hometown. He would find a way to go back to Brooklyn. However, with the local May Day Diner under the threat of being torn down, the citizens will have to work together to save their town. 

The story comes in a series of clippings, diary entries, notes, emails, etc. 

This was an interesting premise, and the epistolary format tempted me. With emails, handwritten notes, journal entries, text messages, and newspaper reports, there is enough variety to mix and match the presentation. 

The book starts with the Solvang family entering Goodnight, a remote town in Kansas that relies on the tire factory to provide livelihood and keep the place alive. Right here, you can guess what’s coming. 

Of course, there are other items on the checklist – small-town bigotry & bigheartedness, family feud, secrets, Christian zealousness, capitalism/ communism/ socialism drama, conspiracy theories, odd-one-out, down-on-the-luck guy saving a town, spunky teenagers, etc. 

While there’s no denying the scattered bits of humor and entertainment, as a package, the book feels underwhelming, like a collection of social topics one has to tick off a list. 

My favorite character is Disco, hands down. No one else can take her place at the top. She made the book a lot more enjoyable. Also, whatever emotions I felt were limited to her. 

I didn’t expect the book to be so slow. By the time I reached 30%, I was tired and like I had read more than half the book, only to realize otherwise. The middle dragged even more. By the last 30%, I was more than ready to skim and finish it as soon as possible. It’s not really hard to guess most of the twists and reveals. They were very much apparent. 

At the end, there’s an interview with the author. Here, she says she could ‘describe a raindrop for three pages’ but... I think this answers why the book feels heavier than it is. It is bloated. Also, the voices aren’t always distinct, and we have many since everyone communicates through emails or notes. 

The ending is open and more like a slice-of-life story, so we don’t get answers to all the questions. This is a bit annoying after having to read so much. I’d have preferred a rounded ending with a little more development, at least for my favorite character. She deserves it! 

There are a few quirky or experimental recipes mentioned, and quite a bit of food given, as it is one of the central themes. I don’t care for the other experiments, but tamosa… well, it sounds interesting, though I won’t be first in line to taste it. 

To summarize, A Town with Half the Lights On sounds intriguing but doesn’t actually present anything new. It’s a decent read if you enjoy such themes, but the writing style can be a hit or a miss. 

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

#NetGalley 

 4.2 Stars

Dan and Oscar are happy solving cases as private investigators in Florence. As a resident, Dan is familiar with the iconic bridge, Ponte Vecchio, and walks across it often. However, when an old diamond merchant who was as hard as the stones he sold is found dead on the bridge and the case is ruled a murder, Dan once again has to help the police find the killer. 

Soon, it’s clear that nothing easy as it seemed to be. The motive could be something they hadn’t considered so far! Can Dan and his adorable black Lab solve the case? 

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

That’s book 11 in the series, but works as a standalone since there isn’t any disturbance in the personal track. 

This book has not one but three (or is it four) mysteries that start at various points. While there’s a decently long cast, it is easy to track the cases separately. 

I like that the books are short (200-270 pages) and ideal for reading in a couple of sittings. I’m used to the author’s style by now, so the pacing is good too! I’m no longer worried about chapter lengths. 

Every book takes us on a virtual tour of a different place in Italy. This time, we remain in Florence but read about Ponte Vecchio. I googled it to see the pictures (love the ones during sunset and night). It’s not just a bridge. It is a three-storied structure with tiny stores packed tight from one end to another! 

We also get descriptions of delicious food (never mind that I’m a vegetarian and eat none of it in real life) and the generous quantities they serve. This is something I relate to. Apart from a few places, Indians love to serve large portions of food. We’ll feed you until your tummy bursts open. ;) 

The mystery starts like every other case, but it becomes a bit more complex as new details emerge. Things start to come together in the last quarter, and finally, we have the reveal and showdown! 

Oscar is his usual best, obviously! Everyone falls in love with him, and he is delighted with all the attention (and food). Can there be a better life than that? I don’t think so! 

To summarize, Murder at the Ponte Vecchio is a steady-paced and entertaining book. It continues the series’ momentum and takes us on a virtual tour of Florence with a dead body or two! 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3 Stars 

Major Bricket has been an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril. Thanks to his foreign assignments, his long absences from the village gave him an air of mystery. After his retirement, the Major has returned to settle down for good, only to find the dead body of a clown on his lawn! 

However, none of the clowns from the village’s annual fair seem to be missing. So, who is that dead man? Is it really a clown or an unfortunate guest? Well, Major Bricket is here to find the truth. 

The story comes in third-person omnipresent POV. 

I have a hard time resisting cozies, so when I saw this one, I wanted to check out a potential new series with an older male as our sleuth. 

Before I delve in, I have to highlight that I couldn’t enjoy the story much, mainly due to the awful formatting. Even if this is an ARC, it shouldn’t be this messy. There’s no capitalization in most places (not even for some names). The lines are weirdly cut off and have random breaks. Honestly, it gave me a headache! 

Coming to the plot, it’s actually fun. This might come under humor cozy, though not the explicit kind. The mystery has OTT elements (and so does the main character). But this added to the narrative somehow instead of making it absurd. I mean, it is a bit absurd, but in a funny way. 

The setting is a mix of contemporary and historical. I’m still figuring out the period. Maybe the 1990s or early 2000s? We have phones with cameras and laptops, and mention of Starbucks, but the village has been stuck in time and stayed back at least a few decades earlier. 

We met an array of characters, some more impressive and memorable than others. Nga has definitely impressed me with her grasp of the small-town Brit elite and their silliness. The author pokes fun at their snobbishness and ignorance (of course, I enjoyed this). 

The omnipresent narration makes it possible for the author’s voice to become prominent without affecting the characters. This worked for me, so no complaints. I still wish the formatting were better, as the head-hopping wouldn’t have been confusing. 

The main character is capable, efficient, mysterious, and smart. He is a can-do-it-all kind of guy, and we get enough hints to guess his profession. James Bond vibes minus womanizing abilities (and I hope it stays that way). 

To summarize, Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse is a decent start to a new series. It does have an interesting main lead and a quirky setting. I may read the second book to decide, though I hope the ARC will have better formatting! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Constable), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MajorBricketAndTheCircusCorpse 

 

 3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Good setting with a family drama
 

Molly Adams is shocked to learn she is a beneficiary in someone’s will. After all, she doesn’t know any Greek men, and why would he leave her an apartment in Kassiopi, Corfu? Molly arrives in the region to find out she co-inherited the apartment, as well as a tree, a boat, a truck, and a quarter of a cat. 

Christos Baros made his future with hard work and determination. He has successful gyms in Athens and wants nothing to do with his new inheritance. However, he and Molly must work together to decide the next steps. But for that, they have to figure out the past and secrets that complicate everything. 

Thrown in loving but annoying family members into the mix, and it is chaos all around! 

The story comes in Molly and Christos’s third-person POVs. 

 My Thoughts:

The main attraction for me was the inheritance of 25% of a cat. Like, how do you decide which quarter of the cat is yours? Does she get a leg and an ear, or does she feed the cat once every alternate day? Unfortunately, the cat doesn’t appear until the halfway point. 

The dual POV helped get both sides of the story. The main characters have issues to deal with, so each getting their POV brings some balance to the plot. 

What we don’t get in the blurb is the presence of a tiny but overbearing family on both sides. Though it’s just a mother and friend for the FMC and a mother and a younger sister for the MMC, they stand out more than the main leads! 

Not sure if the MMC’s mom was supposed to be the typical Greek mother, but she reminded me of OTT and stereotyped Indian moms – loving but super suffocating and hyper. Reading scenes with her gave me quite a bit of stress, though I think they were supposed to be funny. 

The pacing was pretty fast, so enough, although the story didn’t progress much, the % moved ahead steadily. This helped since people seem to go around in circles about the past. 

Still, I empathized with the main character’s concerns and vulnerabilities. Their fears were valid. I also liked the career choices. 

That said, the romance part didn’t hit the mark. There was some attraction, but I didn’t vibe with it. I can’t say I could feel their chemistry to root for them. Add all those secrets and drama to the mix, there wasn’t enough focus on the couple’s connection or the supposed something they felt for each other. 

However, the setting was great. Reading about sweaty and hot summers in Corfu when living in a tropical country didn’t help, lol. I was sweating already. Still, I enjoyed the description of the views, the sea, and the buildings. It has an old-world charm and sounds attractive. 

To summarize, A Greek Island Gift has its moments and deals with some important themes about family, relationships, secrets, etc. Read it as a family drama instead of a romance. You may like it better. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

Wanda Díaz Merced lived in Puerto Rico. As a child, she fell in love with the stars and wanted to study them. However, due to juvenile diabetes (Type-1), she gradually lost her eyesight. Wanda didn’t want to give up her dream of studying the stars, but how could she achieve it without sight? 

This is a wonderfully kid-friendly biography of the great scientist’s life and how she achieved her dreams. The writing is a blend of English and Spanish words to retain the authenticity of the emotions (we get English translation immediately, so worries for readers). 

The story is simplified but not diluted. Children can still see her struggle, fear, and courage. They can also see the role of friends and mentors who supported Wanda in her journey. 

The last few pages of the book are a gem. Parents should sit with little ones to read and explain those details. We learn more about Wanda and her friendship with the author (it shows in the writing). We also get meanings for tough words and more information/ resources on the topic. 

I absolutely love the illustrations! The colors are rich, vibrant, and earthy; reflecting the Puerto Rico landscape in the beginning and the abundance of the universe later on. You could stare at each page for minutes (I did too)! The text is placed on the sides in 2-3 lines, while the onomatopoeia words dance across the page in a bigger font. 

To summarize, Wanda Hears the Stars is a truly inspiring book and should be shared with every kid, irrespective of whether or not they like STEM. 

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

#NetGalley #WandaHearstheStars 

After solving the previous case, Jane Treen and Arthur Cilento were made the sole members of The Secret Detective Agency by Brigadier Remmington-Blythe. Now, they are sent to a little seaside town to investigate a case. However, soon after they reach the place, a body is found on the beach. 

While there are enough suspects, none of them are willing to cooperate. The duo spends time in Jane’s old home in the village and tries to find the murderer despite the odds. 

The story comes in Jane and Arthur’s third-person POVs. 

I requested a copy before I finished the first book. Since both are to be released back-to-back, I knew the feedback for book #1 may not be applied here yet (not enough time). However, there is some improvement, which assures me that the series might get better. 

And yes, it works as a standalone. 

The sleuths – Jane, Arthur, and Benson (Arthur’s manservant, who is outrageously competent) – come together to solve another case, this time in Jane’s hometown. 

The setting is lovely, though the people are mixed (which seems pretty realistic). The cast of characters is slightly smaller than in the previous book (I think). Of course, it is easy enough to remember who is who. The key ones are well-defined. 

This book has two mysteries – a dead prisoner and a black market racket. Are the cases connected? You’ll have to read to find out! 

The mystery, though simple, is well-planned. I didn’t guess the criminal this time. The reveal made sense, so no complaints. We have a few red herrings and some action to keep the interest levels steady. 

The WWII backdrop is once again seamlessly used in the plot. Be it the raids, bombs, the influx of war prisoners (who are being used as farm workers), or the shortages of certain commodities, everything plays a role in the central plot. 

While I’m still not that impressed with Jane, I do see her better. Imagine being more competent than many men and still being treated as an inferior member or an entry-level assistant. No wonder she acts so extra tough! Still, I’d like her more if she reduced her smoking. After all, it’s her health I’m concerned about! 

The pacing is steady, moderate to fast. However, the book ends at 82%. Yeah, be prepared for this. Otherwise, you’ll be confused and disappointed when the story ends quickly. I checked the % in advance, so I knew what to expect. 

To summarize, The Seaside Murders is a good continuation and provides decent entertainment. I like it enough and will read the next book. Hopefully, the characters will settle down better by then.  

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

#NetGalley #TheSeasideMurders 

Amber Winslow leaves her former life in Seattle and goes to a retirement center in Arizona to meet her grandma, a woman she has never met! While she is still coming to terms with the easy entry into Seven Ponds (the luxury retirement community center) and meeting her eccentric and modern grandmother, Amber is shocked to hear about the death of a resident, George Vincent, a.k.a. the Admiral. 

With the Admiral’s missing pet tortoise and the sudden disappearance of his family heirloom, the fingers point at Amber’s grandma, Jude. Amber may not know this woman, but she is determined to prove that her grandmother is innocent. Seems like it is time she used her sleuthing skills for her family. 

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

I’ve seen good reviews for the author’s cozy mystery series and decided to try her latest book. 

The book starts with Amber down on her luck and trying to meet her estranged grandmother, someone her mother doesn’t approve of. Not having anywhere else to go, Amber decides she would try a chance with her grandma. 

The death occurs fairly soon (less than 10%), so the book pretty much puts us in the mystery immediately. That said, we also get a glimpse into the backstory, the strained family relationships, the FMC’s career, and the eccentricities at the retirement center. 

While this feels like a lot, it is not. Sure, there are some laugh-out-loud moments, and Grandma Jude is a sparkling and OTT personality. However, we don’t feel overwhelmed with the information we get right at the beginning. There’s more than what we see at first, obviously! 

The mystery is really cozy. It’s a blend of drama and mystery, so think of something like Vera Wong (though grandma here isn’t gonna waste her time cooking). 

The themes of found family, friendship, living in a community center, sense of belongingness, etc., are also explored, but without making the book heavy or overwhelming. 

Humor is the highlight. Since it is subjective, if you don’t enjoy the lighthearted scenes, you may not like the book as much. 

We have a pet tortoise which plays a prominent role in the plot and is carried around by quite a few. Moreover, this ninety-plus tortoise inspires protective feelings in many people! 

I also like that the ex is not totally a bad guy. He has some good traits. In fact, most characters are the same. They feel realistic enough to be flawed and good. 

The ending very much makes it sound like this book will be a series. I hope it is! I’d be delighted to read more books with the FMC and her grandmother. 

To summarize, Murder Runs in the Family is a lighthearted and cozy read with a mystery (or two), a pet tortoise, and characters trying to make the best of their situation and be happy. 

A part of it reminded me of the reports we get from Kerala Airport (IYKYK). 

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

#NetGalley #murderrunsinthefamily