theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
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Edwina “Edie” Nunn is surprised to discover that she has inherited an old castle on a remote Scottish island as the only living descendent of the Maundrell family. Now in her late forties, Edwina, recently widowed, has never known her biological family, having been left at an orphanage as a baby. Her teenage daughter, Neve, is excited at the prospect of inheriting a castle and Edwina is eager to know more about her real family. Neither of them could have been prepared for the ghostly inhabitants (not all of whom are particularly friendly), the deep-buried secrets of the island and the tragic history of the Maundrell family, most of which occurred on Samhain. Nor were they prepared for the mystery behind the Maundrell Red – a diamond that went missing decades ago and, as legend has it, is responsible for the tragedy that befell the family. With Samhain quickly approaching, and the eerie occurrences intensifying, Edie and Neve soon discover that evil lurks in various manifestations in and around the castle and there are forces at play that would keep them from discovering the truth.

With its atmospheric setting and intricate plotting, In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan is a riveting read that combines elements of historical fiction, family drama, supernatural suspense and Gothic mystery. I loved the descriptions of the island, the haunted castle and Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. I appreciated how the author wove an element of folklore into the narrative. Presented in dual timelines (the 1960s where we meet the matriarch Elizabeth “Bitsie” Maundrell, who is pure evil, immediate family and the present-day wherein we follow Edie and Neve), the story initially unfolds at a relatively slow pace but picks up as the narrative progresses. I loved how the past was gradually revealed through old journals, local lore and ghostly visitations and thought the twists were well – executed. The novel touches upon themes of complicated mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, mental health, neurodivergence, child abandonment, generational trauma, abuse and homophobia. Needless to say, some moments are dark and disturbing, but we also have moments of kindness, empathy and love. The bond between Lottie and Mungo was beautifully depicted and I particularly enjoyed how Neve connects with one other ghostly visitors after getting off to a bumpy start. I enjoyed following the mystery as it is slowly unraveled and was satisfied with the ending, but I did think that certain aspects of the present timeline could have been explored further. I’m not a fan of the horror genre and I was glad that the novel did not venture into territory that would have made it difficult for me to read.

This isn’t a genre I dabble in much, but having read and enjoyed the author’s previous novel, Her Little Flowers, I was eager to read her latest offering. Overall, I enjoyed this well-crafted novel and look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Many thanks to Kensington Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 23, 2023.
 

 

An entertaining compilation of almost 3000 The New Yorker cartoons (1925-2017) organized according to theme! I enjoyed reading both the Foreword by David Remnick and the Introduction by Bob Mankoff.

Perfect for light reading or as a palate cleanser or simply when you need a laugh! I read this one over a period of almost 3 years (1500+ pages) in between my other reads and enjoyed every minute of it! 

“The first lie has to be the strongest. The most important. The one that has to be told”

I found the premise of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston to be truly intriguing. Evie Porter, a con artist who works for the mysterious “Mr. Smith” finds herself trapped in a complex web of manipulation as she works on her current mark, Ryan Sumner. Posing as Ryan’s girlfriend while passing on information about Ryan’s business to her boss should have been easy for her, given she has almost perfected her game over the years in Mr. Smith’s employ. However, her growing feelings for Ryan, her feelings of guilt for her deception and her desire for a different life than she has chosen (or the life that has chosen her?) and the added pressure that she is being closely monitored and failing her current task would result in dire consequences, complicate matters further and the situation begins to spiral out of Evie’s control.

The beginning of the book drew me in and had me hooked, but as the plot progressed, my enthusiasm dampened. The author’s writing shows promise and I thought most of the twists were well executed (the entry of “Lucca Marino” was a genius plot point). However, too much of the narrative was devoted to telling rather than showing, which detracted from my overall experience. Evie is an interesting protagonist but the oversharing (in excruciatingly minute detail) about both past events and how events unfold in the present timeline not only messed with the pacing and but also made me forget that I was reading what was supposed to be a suspenseful “thriller.” Though not entirely unpredictable, there were a few aspects of the mystery that were well-crafted. However, I wasn’t a fan of how the author chose to end the story and found a few developments/revelations toward the end utterly unconvincing and contrived.

After a very long wait for my library copies, I can’t help but feel more than a tad disappointed with this one. Had I not approached this novel expecting a fast-paced, complex, edge of your set thriller, I would have enjoyed it more.

I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who has done a commendable job of breathing life into this story. 

“For the women in our family, the ability to see a bright side and all that came with it was a near constant in our lives, first appearing almost two hundred years ago after a star fell from the sky onto family land. Legend was that somehow the fallen star with its special glow had given us the gift, and we felt honor bound to use it to bring light and hope and brightness to others.”

Set in the small town of Starlight, Alabama, A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber is a charming story that revolves around themes of family, sisterhood, friendship and starting over.

At the center of the story is sixty-four-year-old Verbena Fullbright, Aunt “Bean” to her nieces, half-sisters twenty-nine-year-old Addison “Addie” Fullbright and twenty-four-year-old Tessa Jane Cobb Wingrove Fullbright. Aunt Bean owns and runs the Starling Cake Company famous for its delectable treats that are believed to have special qualities that flood the taster with positive feelings. Starlight Field, which also belongs to the family, is of special significance to the family on account of a crater formed from a fallen star and the special lightened path where those in need found clarity of thought and direction. Addie, who moved away from Starlight years ago after the death of her best friend and is a famous voice artist and Tessa is nursing a broken heart after a broken engagement are called back to Starlight to take care of the bakery after Aunt Bean is diagnosed with a heart condition. The sisters have a complicated relationship and have never been close, but now things just might change. But the sisters have a lot to contend with – their personal problems, the stress of running the bakery, their concern over Aunt Bean’s health, long-buried family secrets, and the greedy intentions of Tessa’s maternal grandfather – before old wounds can be healed.

The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Addie and Tessa Jane in alternating chapters. I loved the small-town setting and adored Aunt Bean. I liked how each chapter started with Aunt Bean’s words of wisdom thoughtfully embedded in her baking tips! I loved how the author depicted the growing bond between the sisters and found both Addie and Tessa to be endearing characters. I have to mention the pets who made life for our characters very interesting, leading to several heartfelt and entertaining moments! I appreciated the underlying message of the novel – the importance of family and community and how crucial it is to try to look for the positive in one another and ourselves and allow positive energy into our lives. The author addresses sensitive topics such as domestic abuse, animal cruelty and abandonment with compassion.

There is a lot to like about this novel – the humor, the relationships, the well-thought-out characters and the element of magical realism , to name just a few. However, the narrative does feature a very large cast of characters and I found it difficult to follow how everyone was related/connected beyond a point. The author also weaves a tad too many subplots into the narrative, resulting in a slow-paced, unnecessarily complicated and convoluted story with overly dramatic moments (soap-opera vibes). The element of magical realism was interesting as a concept, but I wish it had been more deeply embedded into the narrative.

This is my second Heather Webber novel and though I didn’t love this one as much as At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, I did find it to be a heartwarming story. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis making for an engaging immersion reading experience.

Many thanks to Tor Publishing Group/Forge Books for the gifted hardcover and the digital review copy via NetGalley. I’d also like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 
An exceptionally well-crafted tribute to educators, The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu follows an ensemble cast of characters, members of faculty and staff of (fictional) Baldwin High School in Houston, Texas, through the school year in the aftermath of the sudden death of Mr. Bob Lehrer, retired English teacher, in the teacher's lounge. Mr. Lehrer devoted his life to his profession, even choosing to work as a substitute teacher post- retirement, and the school authorities agree to honor his wish that his ashes be scattered on the school grounds. Unfortunately, on the day of the ceremony, everything doesn’t quite go as planned, resulting in a mishap, the consequences of which will be felt throughout the school year.

Structured as a series of interconnected stories (each from the perspective of a different character) through the drama in the aftermath of “Ashgate” and their lives and challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Woven into these stories of empathy, kindness and human connection, is also the story of Bob Lehrer, whose life revolved around the classroom and about whom we get to know more from the recollections of those who interacted and worked with him during his tenure.

We meet the faculty and staff of the school – a diverse group of characters – those new to the profession as well as those on the brink of retirement - teachers, the school counselor, the school nurse and the janitor. I loved getting to know the characters, their personal struggles, their dreams and hopes and their reflections on their own respective careers and much more. The author writes with heart and humor but also touches upon several sensitive themes such as the immigrant experience alcoholism, loneliness, grief and teenage pregnancy, with sensitivity and compassion. We also get a glimpse into several timely and relevant issues such as internal politics, underfunding, parental interference and censorship and how these impact operations within the public school system.

This is the kind of book that you want to keep on reading. This book will resonate with those who have been a part of the teaching profession or have worked in educational institutions in any capacity. However, irrespective of whether you have a similar experience, this book will strike a chord with you. Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable, poignant and thought-provoking read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction.

Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 Hereford, 1881: Hecate Cavendish is excited to have secured a position as librarian’s assistant at Hereford Cathedral. Though her mother would prefer she direct her efforts toward finding a suitor, her father Edward Cavendish, an archaeologist by profession, is encouraging of his daughter's endeavors. Unbeknownst to Hecate she possesses a special gift – an ability to see and interact with the spirit world with a strong sense of paranormal activity – a gift she only becomes aware of when she encounters the friendly spirits roaming about in the cathedral. But much evil also lurks within those walls, spirits with sinister motives being unleashed into the community. As chaos ensues, Hecate will have to learn how to use her gift to protect everything and everyone she holds dear.

With its intriguing premise, atmospheric setting and gothic vibes The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is an engaging read. The author combines elements of paranormal and murder mystery, historical fiction, magical realism and mythology and romance into an immersive narrative that kept me glued to the pages. The novel gets off to a slow start but picks up as the narrative progresses. The author writes beautifully with keen attention to detail which is evidenced in the way she vividly describes the atmospheric setting and the cathedral, the library and its collections and the Mappa Mundi, which I found particularly interesting!
( I looked up the actual The Hereford Mappa Mundi, created around 1300, which is the largest medieval map known to exist.)

Hecate is an endearing protagonist and I absolutely loved getting to know her and those in her circle of family and friends . Her dynamic with her loving father, who is an ally and who believes in her abilities, and their interactions were a joy to read as was her relationship with her ailing younger brother. The author balances the darkness of the plot with splashes of humor and lighter moments. I enjoyed the way both she and her father strive to appease as well as work their way around her mother. The characters (good and sinister) were well developed and I enjoyed following Hecate in her search for the truth behind the sinister occurrences. Despite the uneven pacing, the narrative flows well, dialing up the tension as we progress and at no point did I lose interest in the plot.

I did find the ending a tad underwhelming after such an intense build-up, more so because we did not get all the answers to our questions. This is a lengthy read and I can’t help but feel disappointed that the author chose to leave certain aspects of the mystery unresolved.

However, since this is the first in a new series, I suppose we will have to wait for the next installment for our answers.

Overall, I thought there was much about this novel that is praiseworthy and I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Marisa Calin. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 In 2017, flood damage in a small Quebec town lead to the discovery of a child’s body that appears to be decades old. Locals suspect that the remains are that of Michelle Fortier, the nine-year-old daughter of an affluent family who disappeared in 1979.

Stephanie O’Malley returns to her hometown of Marly, Quebec, after her career hits a downward spiral as a result of her failed podcast, which was based on Michelle’s case. Fifteen years ago, she had left Marly with hopes for a better future, leaving her mother Laura and high-school sweetheart Luc behind. Her relationship with her mother is strained and Luc has moved on. Stephanie keenly follows the renewed interest and investigation into the cold case in hopes of reviving her podcast. As the narrative progresses, Stephanie finds herself drawn into a complex web of lies, secrets and cover-ups.

I found the premise of The Last Thing She Saw by Nina Laurin intriguing and appreciated the suspenseful vibe, the atmospheric setting and the depiction of small-town life and the dynamics within the community. The narrative is structured in dual timelines. In the present timeline (2017), we follow Stephanie as she pursues her own investigation into Michelle’s disappearance while navigating her relationship with her mother and her dynamic with Luc. The 1979 timeline is presented from Laura’s perspective and focuses on Laura’s life as a teenager in Marly, while the events that led to Michelle’s disappearance are gradually revealed. Stephanie wasn’t a particularly interesting protagonist, and I wasn’t a fan of how the author chose to develop her story. Laura was a more complex character, but I felt the present timeline didn’t do her justice. The writing was stilted, resulting in a somewhat disjointed narrative that lacked cohesiveness. I also thought a few plot points were unnecessary (a few of the more common tropes no longer work for me ) and of no consequence to the story. The final reveal wasn’t entirely unpredictable (I do have a few questions, though) but was well-executed.

While I didn’t dislike this book in its entirety, I also didn’t find it to be the tightly woven, gripping thriller that I was expecting.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

With elements of historical fiction, folklore magical realism and contemporary love story, The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a beautifully written novel.

Christmas Day, NYC, 2010: While waiting to board a flight to Boston to spend the holidays with her sister’s family, Sarah Harper is intrigued by a newspaper article on the ‘lore of a beautiful hawthorn tree in County Clare, Ireland. On an impulse, she decides to hop on a flight to Ireland and eventually ends up renting a cottage, Butler’s Cottage, in the same vicinity as the tree. Sarah is dealing with the collapse of her marriage and grieving a personal loss and hopes to find solace in the quiet setting of the cottage amid the beautiful surroundings. While exploring the area, she comes upon an old diary from 1910, belonging to Anne Butler. From Anne’s diary, Sarah not only learns about Anna’s family and her dreams and the history of Thornwood House, the ruins of which are still standing, and local folklore but she also gets to know about American researcher Harold Griffin-Krauss, who engaged Anna’s assistance to interact with locals for his thesis on the fairy faith in Celtic countries. As the narrative progresses, Sarah finds herself motivated to find out more about Anne and is inspired by her story to take stock of her own life and embark on a cathartic journey of healing and hope.

The prose is elegant and the author writes with compassion and emotional emotional depth and a keen sense of time and place, deftly weaving past and present timelines into an engaging narrative. I loved the vivid setting and appreciated how folklore and stories of na Daoine Maithe were incorporated into the narrative.

The present-day story is told from Sarah’s perspective, with Anne’s story revealed through her journal entries interspersed throughout the narrative. Both Sarah and Anne are well-fleshed-out characters and I enjoyed getting to know Harold (whose character was inspired by American anthropologist and writer W. Y. Evans-Wentz). I wish the narrative had included more stories from his research. The secondary characters were also well thought out and I loved how the author depicted life in a quiet Irish village one hundred years apart. I’ll admit that I enjoyed the past timeline more than Sarah’s story. The romantic track in the present timeline felt unnecessary and wasn’t entirely convincing. I wish we had gotten to know more about both Anne and Harold (I prefer showing to telling). The past timeline was rushed toward the end and left me with a few unanswered questions. However, I did like how the author brought everything together and the ending, though bittersweet, was satisfying.

This is my second Evie Woods novel (I also enjoyed The Lost Bookshop) and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 

June 2025 – Francesca Meadows is thrilled that her dream project “The Manor “-an exclusive wellness resort- is finally open. The Solstice celebration and the midnight revelries are in full swing, her affluent guests are in attendance being catered to by her carefully selected staff, a few of whom are local including Eddie whose family owns and operates a farm close by. Among the guests is Bella, who has a history with Francesca (who is initially unaware of Bella's presence) and whose decision to book a stay was based on an article sent by an unknown sender, who definitely knows their history. The resort was built on the Dorset coastline the premises Francesca inherited from her grandparents, and her husband, architect Owen Dacre was tasked with designing the luxurious resort. The resort is adjacent to a forest that holds special significance to the locals, who aren't too happy with the development and the fact that the owners have no respect for the ‘lore and beliefs of the locals only complicates matters further.

Unbeknownst to most guests, the land, the forests, the small town of Tome and Francesca herself harbor dark secrets. So when the fishermen discover the body of a woman floating in the water the very next day and the cliffside retreat goes up in flames, unraveling the mystery behind the murder and the fate of The Manor might be more complicated than the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Walker and his team would have thought.

I haven’t had much luck with the author's previous novels, all of which were average reads for me. I won’t say that The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is an exception but overall, I did enjoy the novel ( I think the full-cast audio narration had a large role to play). Well-thought-out characters ( even the unlikeable ones), a vividly described atmospheric setting, an intriguing premise dual timelines and multiple perspectives woven into a cohesive narrative made for an engaging read. I loved the intensity of the present-day narrative, the folklore and the dark myth associated with the land which added to the tension. I always appreciate it when my theories are proved wrong and I’m glad to say that a few of the final twists and revelations were truly shocking.

However, the story takes a long time to pick up the pace which is why it felt longer than it actually was. The past timeline is presented through journal entries from 2009 and though past events were integral to the plot, these slower-paced sections (with a tad too much teenage drama) hindered the flow of the narrative. The final 25% definitely made up for the slow build-up, uneven pacing and what I thought were some unnecessary fillers, in particular one of the character’s perspectives which was not necessarily required to carry the story forward.

I paired my reading with the brilliant full-cast audio narration featuring Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz and Tuppence Middleton, which enhanced my overall experience.

Given a choice, I would recommend the audio over reading the book.
 

“All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by a stranger and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to you? Loving and hating people made out of ink and paper, not flesh and blood? Yes, books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is.”

Last year The Wishing Game was one of my favorite reads and I’m glad to say that with The Lost Story, author Meg Shaffer does not disappoint.

Set in the (fictional) Red Crow State Forest of West Virginia, the story follows our three protagonists Emilie Wendell, Jeremy Cox and Ralph "Rafe" Howell as they embark on a quest to find out what happened to Emilie’s long-lost sister Shannon, who, when thirteen, went missing from the area decades ago. Jeremy and Rafe are no strangers to the forest, having been found six months after disappearing while on a school trip fifteen years ago. What happened to them remains a mystery to everyone except Jeremy. Jeremy and Rafe, once close friends, have been estranged since the incident. Jeremy makes finding missing girls his life’s calling and when Emilie approaches him for help in finding Shannon, he eventually agrees. Rafe is a loner, traumatized by the incident, but with no memories of the six months they were missing. Jeremy convinces Rafe to join the quest with promises that everything will be revealed in the course of their journey.

“Nobody wants to admit they’re lost.”

Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, this “fairy tale for grown-ups”, is a beautifully written story with endearing characters (human and mythical), vividly descriptive with superb worldbuilding, that transported me to Shanandoah with Emilie, Jeremy and Rafe.

A story of friendship, found family, love, sacrifice and courage with adventure and intrigue, emotion and humor, magical kingdoms, enchanted forests and mythical beings – sounds just perfect, doesn’t it? If you agree, this book is a must-read. I should mention that this story is much deeper than a fanciful tale for children, with several dark and sensitive themes, including abandonment, homophobia, child abuse, PTSD and mental health woven into the narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters and thought that the supporting characters (even the unlikeable ones) were also well thought out. The pacing is a tad uneven, but this did not detract from my overall experience. I did feel, however, that there was a tad too much going on. With so many subplots, it is to be expected that not all of them would be explored in equal depth.

Overall, I found this to be a charming and incredibly moving story that I would not hesitate to recommend. Read this one with your heart and you won’t be disappointed!

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.