3.7 Stars

A two-year-old Casey is abandoned in the supermarket with a slip of note in her pocket to not find her family. A retired newspaper journalist has disappeared from his home without a trace. Someone found human organs in a trash bin. 

Detective Alana Mack is already overworking overtime. Her recent transfer to the Clonabee police station seemed like a good move to restart her life in a wheelchair. However, she’s dealing with fewer resources, excess pressure, and a misogynistic chief. Finding little Casey howling her lungs out adds to her list of concerns, but Alana cannot help but want to safeguard the child at all costs. 

Are the crimes independent, or is there a connecting factor the police are yet to see? With Alana still struggling to come to terms with her current situation, is she strong enough to control her emotions and do what needs to be done? 

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

This is a slow-burn mystery and a police procedural (not a thriller) set in a fictional seaside Irish town. The setting stays true to the dark theme of the genre and deals more with social issues like poverty, etc., rather than focusing on the beauty of the location (of course, there a couple of references to sunrises and sunsets). 

Alana Mack is a disabled police officer bound to her wheelchair after an accident/ incident in her recent past. So, we get the narrative of someone who had to get used to this new way of life. This works well to present the internal conflict. 

While Alana is confident, capable, and efficient, it does take time to warm up to her. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she has to be tough and relentless. However, this sometimes doesn’t show her in good light. She is also dealing with past trauma (we get a lot of references but not enough details in this book). 

The side characters, Paddy, Rusty, Tatty, etc., are well-etched and manage to make an impression within the set limitations. As the series progresses, we are likely to see better character development for the recurring characters. 

Despite the specific mention of Alana’s ex-husband in the blurb, he has only a minor role in the plot. I like this as it retains the focus on the case (Alana has enough internal thoughts to mention this guy multiple times. I don’t need more at this stage). 

The cases have enough twists to keep the reader engaged. There isn’t a lot to guess, though. With multiple narratives in parallel, we get enough snippets to connect the dots to a good extent. There are some triggers and graphic content, so proceed with caution. 

However, this is a slow burn. I expected the book to have a steady pace after the initial setup, but it continued to be slow throughout. Also, there isn’t enough tension in the investigation. They seem to be doing their thing while the usual useless chief tries to boss around. The police station doesn’t have the personality it should (maybe it’ll get better in the next books). 

Also, we could do without so many POV jumps at random. It gets confusing to read a chapter or half from a side character’s POV. This should be better structured to prevent confusion. 

Alana goes by Alan, which seems odd throughout. Why would you need a man’s name if you want to exert yourself as a capable policewoman? The author’s note provides the reason, but I prefer a logical explanation rooted in the MC’s backstory. Let’s see. 

I know it’s unfair to compare characters, but I do love Eve Dallas (from In Death Series). Alana doesn’t have to be Eve but should have a distinct personality. We’ll see how it goes. I like this enough to read book two.  

To summarize, The Puppet Maker is a decent police procedural dealing with dark themes and a dangerous killer. It does the job of creating an interest 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 #ThePuppetMaker 

 3 Stars

A year after Denali solves the murder of Dan Cumberland, she hears news about the death of the Mendsters. The suspicion falls on Alex Plummer, a new entry into the town. Soon, Denali and her cat, Da Vinci, are on the case. 

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

This book continues a year after the first. Denali is leading a normal life, though I didn’t find information about her career or income sources. She is young (late 20s), but whether she lived in the town all her life or was away for a while, is something I’m yet to figure out. That’s for the future books, I guess. 

The case in this one is a tad longer. We have new characters, each with a varying amount of importance in the book. Yet again, the mystery is solved easily. Everything is revealed without much effort. A stage-wise resolution might have been helpful. 

Cozy Mystery is my favorite genre, so I like it better when an effort is made to structure the storyline. The plot has potential but needs to be fleshed out. It requires another 3-5k words to read like a decent mystery. 

My copy also has a teaser from book #3. I admit I liked it more than one and two combined. I hope the author takes time to develop it into a longer version. 

Da Vinci continues to shine and is impossible to ignore. He makes the story interesting and adds a few chuckles, too. 

To summarize, Something Like Murder has the potential to become a solid mystery story or even a novelette. However, it’s a one-time read.  

 3 Stars

Denali and her talented talking cat, Da Vinci, have a crime to solve. When they find the dead body of the local realtor, Dan Cumberland, they wonder if Sheriff Eagan will suspect Denali for the crime. However, they manage to solve it soon. 

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

This is a super short story that introduces the main characters and their setting, Cornith, a small Southern town on the edge of a forest (the Deadwoods). 

The case, as such, takes no time to solve and is straightforward. In fact, it ends before it fully begins. However, I like the orange tabby, Da Vinci, and his special talents, so I’m okay with it. 

There isn’t much to say without giving away the spoilers. The characters do stand out despite the lack of information or depth (both are impossible given the length). I’m not sure about Denali’s stay in the town (the details don’t match up), either. 

It would work better if expanded a little more to add some clues or intrigue. Or, it could be merged with book #2 and used as the first two chapters in that one. (I’d pick option 2). 

To summarize, The Secret of the Deadwoods is a quick intro to the series. You can finish it in 10 mins. 

 3.7 Stars

Morgan is living a life contrary to what she wanted as a teen. Being a single parent to a nineteen-year-old is exhausting. Things get worse when her son, Olly, is determined to find his father. Morgan hasn’t even revealed his name. Olly continues to persist, and Morgan has no choice but to reach out to her three friends and ask for help, even if they have been estranged for years. 

Paige, Emily, and Tiff are leading their own lives, happy yet unhappy. They have different reactions to Morgan’s request. After all, the best friends hurt each other and broke apart. Will this be their chance to reveal the secrets, apologize, and heal? However, the four friends have to deal with many truths before they can move on. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of the four main characters in neatly marked chapters. 

The four friends, Morgan, Paige, Emily, and Tiff, are well-etched. They have their strengths and weaknesses and are flawed people. Even their interactions feel genuine. None of them is perfect, making it easy to root for all of them. Olly makes a strong impression despite having limited coverage. 

Though the focus is on Morgan, we get enough details into others’ lives too. The presentation is neat and clearly structured. We know whose POV (all in the third-person) we are reading at all times. However, quite a bit of it is ‘told’ to the readers, which dilutes the impact. 

Friendships and relationships are messy, and this book reflects it well without making it too dramatic. It also has many lessons about boundaries, forgiveness, healing, acceptance, moving on, etc. They blend well most of the time. 

The writing is easy enough to read but tends to get repetitive. More than once, I got tired of the supposed secrets that almost came out, but something happened to prevent the reveal. This method should not be overused. The same goes for how Emily makes people share information. That was overkill.

My issue is with how the second half is structured. There’s a major reveal at 50%, with hints about the whats and whys. However, the actual story isn’t shared until after 90%. Moreover, there are many clues to guess everything. Either the clues should be fewer, or the reason should be out sooner. I’d go with the latter, given the plotline. 

The main characters are 35-36 years old. Somehow, they sound a decade older. They are weary, I get that. But the vibes don’t feel like I’m reading about people closer to my age. 

The book would work on screen. It has the elements to become a nice TV drama (the bittersweet kind). The ending is hopeful, though I wouldn’t have said no to more details. In fact, I’d have liked it if there was another chapter exclusively for Olly. I think he deserves it. 

To summarize, When We Were Friends is a good read about school friendships, teenage mistakes, and attempts to reconnect as adults. Despite the heavy themes, the book doesn’t get too intense or stressful. It’ll make a decent one-time read. 

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

#NetGalley #WhenWeWereFriends 

 3 Stars

Cordelia Bone’s life is now a mess. Her husband’s affair and debts push her to the brink of ruin. With loan sharks threatening dire consequences, she doesn’t know what to do. A sudden call from her sister, Eustace, gives a ray of hope. Aunt Augusta may be estranged, but since she named them in her will, the sisters can sell her house and make money. 

They fly to a remote town in Connecticut to realize that the house is in proper Victorian Gothic style. Cordelia knows her experience as a real estate agent will come in handy. However, the lawyer informs them about the additional stipulations. Also, Cordelia’s extra-sensory talents are back in action. 

The house has too many secrets to unearth (including the dark past of the sexy tattooed groundskeeper). Digging into it may offer some answers about their dead mother and Cordelia’s skills. However, there’s danger everywhere. 

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

Aunt Augusta’s estate and the setting is wow. The house is a character of its own (though this gets diluted due to extra elements) and is quite creepy. I love every bit of the description of the estate. It’s dark, brooding, sinister, and tangible. 

Cordelia’s initial struggle in using vs. suppressing her talents is well done. Her desire to lead a ‘normal’ life and the consequences of her decisions align with the creepiness of the house. 

Eustace is my favorite character in the book. It’s too bad she doesn’t get her own POV and still manages to shine bright. She is the one who keeps things going when Cordelia sulks around. 

The ghosts are great, though. I like that each has a definite personality and is easy to track. They have unfinished business but are also protective of their family. 

The concepts of runes, coded writing (recipe books), secret rituals, etc., are interesting to read. There are some eww moments, which cannot be helped when you get into a dark basement with weird tools and scattered bones. 

The pacing gets better in the last quarter where things move faster. But this means the atmosphere doesn’t hold steady. Still, I’m glad I could sit for a few minutes extra and finish the book instead of slogging through the second half. 

The last chapter serves as an epilogue. It fills the gaps and provides a satisfactory ending. 

The entire story comes in Cordelia’s POV (thank god for the third-person narration). However, she is hard to connect with. Though initially I empathized with her, as the story progressed, I found her voice uneven and erratic. She also sounds whiny and immature in some places. 

Moreover, Eustace is a great character despite not getting an in-depth arc. I like her a lot more and couldn’t help but wish at least half the chapters come in her POV. It would have balanced the narrative. Though Cordelia is the MC and gets to save the day, I wouldn’t mind if it was otherwise. 

The pacing is super slow. While this is necessary in the beginning to establish the setting and atmosphere, the story gets bogged down by too many elements. There’s a mysterious stalker, a creepy lawyer, Gordon (the love interest with a romantic track we could do without), a mafia lender (he wasn’t necessary since Cordelia had enough troubles to handle), a useless ex who gets a full chapter, and Cordelia going back and forth. Yep, it’s quite exhaustive and distracting from the central plot. 

It’s a good thing this book is not marketed as a mystery (or is it?) since the clues are way too obvious and in the face. I’m sure everyone except the main characters figured out the danger and attacker. 

I knew there would be a love track with Gordon in the picture. I wish it was believable or at least a real slow burn. This one doesn’t feel organic, and the third-act breakup is so stupid. It may seem like a way to advance the plot, but man, it’s horribly done. I can’t sugarcoat this. 

To summarize, The Witches of Bone Hill has terrific potential but manages to deliver in bits and pieces. It would have worked better if the focus was limited to the house, family history, and the sisters instead of trying to force-fit too many threads.  

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (Griffin), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

Meg and Ellie Christie are sisters running their family bookshop, Book Chalet, in the Last Word town. Apart from the love for books and mysteries, the sisters also have a bad dating history as a common factor. However, they end up agreeing to be test dummies for a double blind date set up as a part of her latest entrepreneurial venture by Cousin Lorna.  

Ellie’s date ends up as boring as she expected it. Meg, however, has a good time and makes plans to meet her date the next day. Of course, they soon find out that the man has been murdered. Meg is the prime suspect, and the sisters have no choice but to become active investigators. It doesn’t help that Meg’s scumbag ex is back in town, acting too sweet and trying to manipulate their fourteen-year-old daughter Rosie. The sisters need to sort out the issues before they can breathe easy! 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Ellie Christie. 

I enjoyed the first book and was excited to read this one. Luckily, I could get the ARC (geographical restrictions can be annoying at times) and enjoy it before the release. 

The beginning is slow, like the previous one, but picks up pace after 30%. Though the book should work as a standalone, it might be better to read the first as well. Last Word has some eccentric and loud characters that may seem overwhelming without a proper introduction. 

This one combines mystery and subplot (the sisters’ lives) quite well. There’s a potential love track for Ellie and the police officer. Though cliché, it might work for the duo. Let’s see where it goes. 

Agatha C (cat) Christie, the Siamese cat, makes her presence felt just by being who she is. After all, Agatha is a celebrity with more followers than the bookshop. And as expected, the book has plenty of references to Christie’s mysteries. 

Gram and Rosie also have some space, though I wish they were around for more. Rosie’s vulnerability comes out well, though I wish Ellie would have helped the girl understand a few things. The issue with Meg’s ex (Rosie’s dad) could have been better handled. Just one dialogue from Ellie (‘respect your mom’s right to decide who she wants in her life’) would have done the job and showed that she is a capable aunt (loving isn’t enough; she ought to guide her niece too). 

Lorna contributed to the comic factor initially but soon became infuriating. I hope the sisters can stop being emotionally manipulated and set healthy boundaries. 

The mystery is decent, with enough suspects, red herrings, and clues. However, I am disappointed by the reveal. The killer was a surprise, but made me curious to see how and why (it’s not often that I get this wrong). That said, the motive is weak and doesn’t feel logical. It can still make sense if a few more details are added to iron out the wrinkles. (This is an uncorrected proof, so maybe they’ll do the needful). 

The setting is beautiful. It’s wintertime, with snow, cold, and frost. The gondola is mentioned a few times but is not a part of the story (like in the first one). We also meet a couple of mules (again). I love how the cover incorporates the various elements from the setting and the plot. 

To summarize, Last Word to the Wise is an entertainer with good doses of banter, gossip, drama, and sleuthing. The cozy bookshop is a definite bonus. 

Thank you, Ms. Diaz, from Random House Publishing Group – Bantam and NetGalley, for the eARC on my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #LastWordtotheWise 

 3.7 Stars

This book has ten stories dealing with varying themes. 

Aida – 3.5 Stars 

Salma’s twin, Aida, is missing. The girls are sixteen and live in a safe small town with their parents. What happened to Aida? Can they find out? The story comes from Salma’s first-person POV, revealing more about their family and a little about the disappearance. 

Fausto – 3.5 Stars 

Paz is in love with Fausto. They plan to get married, but Fausto wants to become rich first. Being a security guard is hardly a career, and easy money is more than welcome. But what happens when things don’t go as planned. Narrated by Paz in the first-person, this is a story of love, dreams, morals, decisions, and choices. 

The Book of Saints – 4.5 Stars 

The story comes in a dual first-person POV of an American 40+ man and a 25+ Colombian girl. What starts as a regular story ends up becoming so much more. Very well done. 

Campoamor – 4 Stars 

Vladimir is a writer, or so he calls himself. He is drifting between three houses and two girlfriends, doing nothing else. However, things may change. Why? How? What will happen? The story comes in the first-person POV and reads as boring as the guy is. 

Gaupa – 4 Stars 

Indiana is one of the thousands of Colombian immigrants in New York working in a factory. Narrated in the first-person, the story takes us through her life, past, present, hopes, dreams, and the love of her life, Edgar. 

La Ruta – 4 Stars 

Mago is a taxi driver living with his dominant girlfriend Florencia. One day, he gets a young woman as a passenger, and it changes his life. Told in the first-person POV of Mago, the story ends with a cliffhanger of sorts, much like his situation. 

Ramiro – 4 Stars 

Narrated by a teenage girl, Chana, the story focuses on her life and Ramino’s. How are they connected, and what happens next? The ending is quite heartbreaking in this one. 

The Bones of Cristóbal Colón – 3.5 Stars 

Anita gets a call that grave robbers have stolen most of her brother’s bones. It’s quite common in the city, though she hopes his bones will be safe. Later that day, she gets a call from her lover, who left her for another woman. Told in the first-person POV, this is a story with no real starting and ending, just like the narrator's life- waiting for something to happen. 

Libélula – 4 Stars 

Told in the second-person narration, it’s the story of a woman who becomes a house help to another immigrant like her but money. The story is told in a matter-of-fact tone, though it has elements of deeper contemplation about bonds, life, and survival. 

Aguacero – 4 Stars 

A chance meeting between the narrator, a 25-year-old girl with trauma, and Juan, a 50-year-old man visiting the city to disappear for a while. They develop a unique bond that helps them both. 

To summarize, The Faraway World is a collection of character-oriented short stories that examine human flaws, societal conditions, and interpersonal relationships. All of them have flawed and realistic characters who manage to make an impression despite everything. 

 3.7 Stars

Sadie Forest is back in River End after fifteen years. She wouldn’t have been here if not for her mother’s call to sort out the family business and house after her father’s death. Back in the town, Sadie feels familiar yet different. She is still haunted by the bittersweet and painful memories of her childhood. 

One day, Sadie chances upon a lovely cottage near Whisper Lake. She also meets the reclusive owner, Rebecca Meyers. The old lady is intriguing and has a troubled past of her own. When she asks for help, Sadie knows she will do what she can. Maybe this could be her chance to finally lay her demons to rest. 

Of course, there’s Dan, the builder, a handsome and kind man liked by many. Sadie needs to make a lot of decisions! 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Sadie Forest and the first-person POV of young Becky (past timeline). 

This is an Australian small-town book set around the fictitious Temple River, in the coastal Victoria state. The setting is beautiful, with cliffs, jetty, lake, hill slopes, and open lands. Though there isn’t much about the town, we get to see a few local stores and briefly meet their owners. 

Sadie is a documentary producer who tackles serious topics like the impact of finances on seniors, etc. Though she claims to have gotten over her past issues with her father, we see that’s not the case. All those years of therapy didn’t help for sure. 

It takes a while to get used to the interactions between Sadie and her mother, Pam. That’s because Sadie hasn’t really kept in touch with her. Both women have changed, and this makes things a bit tentative. I like how they continue to support each other despite the uncertainty. Their relationship strengthens as they start to heal. 

Sadie is easy enough to like, though she willingly does/ says a few things that put her in a not-so-good light. The narrative keeps things clear, so it is easy to see her thoughts and the reason for her actions, even if we don’t always agree with them. 

Rebecca, aka Becky, is another complex character. Her older self is different yet the same as her younger version. I admit to being confused about her past timeline. The first-person narrative doesn’t reveal her age (we get a clue after a couple of chapters) for a long time. And given how Becky is literally cooking and cleaning like a grownup, I had a little tough time trying to picture her age. (Thanks for your help when I trying to figure it out, Rosh.) 

The book is heavy on emotions, acceptance, forgiveness, and healing. While this doesn’t make it a light read, it also doesn’t get too overwhelming. We get some lighter and gentler moments, too. Percy, the black cat, helps a lot. Little Charles, too, is an adorable young boy. 

The love track between Sadie and Dan is well done. It’s there but not too evident. The connection feels realistic enough, mainly because Dan is composed, assertive, and stable. He has already healed himself, so he is patient with Sadie as she tries to sort through her issues. And this is a clean romance. 

A crucial element relies on a minor character we aren’t familiar with. This makes it hard to understand their motivations and actions. It’s almost like we need to accept certain things at face value and go with the flow. I wish this was better handled. 

However, Sadie’s inquisitive nature plays a role in connecting the dots. We do see a hopeful ending (or a new beginning) for the main characters. There isn’t an epilogue, but we have an HFN. Since this is a standalone series, I’m hopeful Sadie and Dan will be recurring characters. 

To summarize, The Cottage at Whisper Lake is a heartwarming story on the heavier side. It deals with various themes, though they are all centered around family and relationships. 

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

#NetGalley #TheCottageatWhisperLake 

 4.5 Stars

Oh, my! So little Diya is missing her Nani, who lives in India. Moving to another country comes with pluses and minuses. However, she is flying home for free weeks to celebrate Diwali with her best friend, her Nani. Diya not only enjoys the festival but also learns an important lesson about inner light and finding peace within ourselves. 

I love reading books with Indian reps in a positive light, and those are usually found in the kiddo section. I hope this space stays free from stereotypical portrayals. Anyway, the book deals with a dual theme – Diwali and homesickness. It’s not easy for immigrant families, especially when the kids are close to their grandparents. The sense of belongingness is snatched away, and it takes a while for them to find their footing. I love the sensitive portrayal of this element. Be it the Indian flag in Diya’s room, the map in her notebook (full marks for using the correct map with Kashmir intact), or her constant yearning to be with her Nani (grandma). 

The story is written in simple text with a few Indian words (glossary at the end!) here and there. There’s a note at the end with a brief backstory about Diwali’s significance and the author’s experiences. We even have an affirmation poem on the back cover. A lovely touch, indeed. 

And what do I say about the illustrations? The ‘oh, my’ at the beginning of my review is apt for the artwork. The color scheme with purple, yellow, red, and brown background is perfectly contrasted with shimmering lights on every page. Magical is the word for it. You can also see a temple and masjid tower in the bazaar background. It’s a common sight in India. 

The concept of ‘light’ (Diya herself is a light) has been translated into the illustrations with loads of sparkles and light. I also love the glittering jewelry (Nani and Diya’s noserings are fab), the dresses, and most importantly, the utter happiness and bliss on Diya’s face whenever she is with her Nani. Such heartwarming vibes! 

The story rounds up at the end with Diya going back to her new home and sharing the Diwali magic with her new friends. So so good! 

To summarize, The Light Within You is a beautiful book about Diwali, family, and finding the light within ourselves to be happy no matter where we are. It's a delight to read this book. 

Thank you, Edelweiss and Two Lions, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4.5 Stars!

Arthi comes from a family of doll makers. On the first day of her new school, she gets teased by a classmate. After all, who wants to play with simple wooden dolls in the world of shiny new machine-made toys? Disgruntled, Arthi races back home to find out why her father wants to keep making these dolls. It takes more questions and answers and a personal experience for Arthi to see the truth. 

I was delighted to see the book’s cover and synopsis in my email. Though there are many children’s books (on the global level) with Indian rep, I haven’t come across enough works set in Andhra Pradesh/ Telangana. This one works on multiple levels, and I couldn’t have been happier. It showcases the wonderful Kondapalli Bommalu and gives a glimpse into the lives of artists. This doll-making art is taught to the next generations to keep it alive. It’s family-run, too, and every member has a role in the entire process (from seasoning the wood to painting the dolls). 

The story is informative and shows how Arthi realizes that the bomma is not just a doll. It’s an emotion and carries a part of every person who worked on it. I love the use of Telugu words like nanna, thatha, akka, anna, etc., and that too with the correct spellings (there’s a glossary at the end). The remaining text is in simple English and easy to understand. 

What elevates the book is the artwork. I absolutely love it! The illustrations recreate the setting and bring out the minor details. Right from Arthi’s dress (the green dresses are usually uniform in government schools) to the name boards in Telugu, the street vendors, a tile with god’s image outside one’s home (Hindu houses commonly have Ganesha’s image at the top of the main door), the detailing of the bommalu, etc., are wonderful. 

Arthi has a bottu (bindi) and a tiny nose pin. The older women are dressed in simple cotton sarees and high-neck blouses, while the men have a banyan (sleeveless undershirt) and loose pants or lungi. The dark skin tones, glossy black hair, and twinkling eyes make them look real. And oh, the photo frames of dead parents (with a garland around them), the antique wooden box used for storage… I could go on and on about the illustrations. Every page has a few bommalu in the background, showing how integral they are to people’s lives. 

I wish the story was a little more rounded and Arthi goes back to school to flaunt her identity and put the other kid in place. Also, Arthi easily makes her (possibly) first doll. This could have been elaborated a wee bit to make it seem more realistic. Minor complaints, though. 

There’s a note at the end providing more information about the history of Kondapalli Bommalu and the current situation. We need more initiatives to ensure the art doesn’t die. We can’t afford to let something so precious be entirely replaced by mass-produced plastic toys. 

To summarize, Arthi's Bomma is a must-read to see the beauty of trading the Indian doll-making community and their art. The book does justice to the topic. Grab it for the illustrations (which themselves tell the story). 

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