theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1362 reviews

 Meredith McCall, a New York City psychiatrist, is drawn into a complex web of deception, secrets, lies and obsession after she encounters a man who has a tragic connection to a traumatic event that upended her life.

The Unraveling by Vi Keeland is a well-crafted psychological thriller that has enough twists and turns to keep you engaged until the very end. I can’t say I particularly liked Meredith, but I couldn’t look away as she began to unravel, triggering a shocking chain of events and I was curious to see where she would finally land. I won’t even begin to question her choices or her professional ethics, because despite what she has gone through it is almost impossible to justify her actions, which renders her a complex, if slightly (I’m being kind here) unhinged protagonist. There were a few scenes that felt gratuitous but that's more a personal preference. I had expected a somewhat predictable denouement and I was partially correct in my assumptions, but the author did surprise me with one particular twist toward the end. The ending was satisfying, though a tad rushed and less intense than I had expected after the tension-filled build-up.

Well-paced, suspenseful and overall enjoyable, I did like this one even though I can’t say I loved it. As I say for most books in this genre, don’t overthink it and enjoy the wild ride!

Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 Jane Flanagan grew up in the small coastal town of Awadapquit, Maine. Her home life wasn’t a happy one, being raised by an alcoholic mother and Jane’s sister getting into enough trouble on her own. Jane’s safe place was a deserted old Victorian house situated on a cliff, where she would spend her free time. Jane eventually moves away to college and goes on to become an archivist at Harvard. Over twenty years later, after her mother’s death triggers a downward spiral with Jane indulging in destructive old habits that jeopardize her marriage and her career, Jane returns to her hometown. As she clears her mother’s house before putting it up for sale, she struggles to get a grip on her life. Coincidentally, she meets Genevieve Richards, the wealthy woman whose family has purchased the house on the cliff and is in the process of giving it a massive makeover. A few strange occurrences lead Genevieve to believe that the house might be haunted and she requests Jane to research the history of the house. As Jane embarks on her quest to unearth the history of the house and the land on which it rests, she discovers much more than she had expected - the legacy of tragedy, loss, and heartbreak that upended the lives of its previous owners - compelling her to take stock of her own life and confront her own painful past.

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan is an exceptionally well-written novel that blends family drama, historical fiction, gothic elements, spiritualism and an element of mystery into an immersive narrative shared from multiple perspectives across multiple timelines spanning centuries and featuring a cast of strong female characters.

Each of the characters is well fleshed out and what connects their stories is the house and the land on which it rests. The novel revolves around themes of generational trauma, alcoholism, family secrets, motherhood, loss, grief and healing, as well as Native American history and colonialism. With so many perspectives and themes, it is to be expected that some threads of the narrative are more deeply explored than others. Though I could sympathize with Jane and her struggles, I did question her choices and thought that occasionally her behavior was a tad immature for a thirty-nine-year-old. However, I appreciated how she was inspired to effect change in her life.

The novel emphasizes the importance of history and legacy and how crucial it is to preserve the stories of those who came before us. I loved the rich history of the house and wish that we had spent more time in the past timelines. The stories of the women who lived in the house were in turn inspiring, poignant and heartbreaking. The author incorporates in-depth segments on Native American culture and repatriation, the history of settler colonialism in Maine and the Wabanaki Nations, and the Shaker movement into the narrative. I found these sections extremely informative and I commend the author for the meticulous research that went into crafting this novel. I should mention that the inclusion of these segments did render the novel a tad lengthy and disjointed and slowed down the pace of the narrative, but this did not detract from my overall reading experience.

This is a complex novel meant to be read with time and patience. Overall, I found it to be a rewarding read and well worth the time and effort.

This was my first time reading J. Courtney Sullivan and I’m eager to explore more of the author’s work.

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella revolves around Jack Schmidt, the fifty-two-year-old owner of a beachfront restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, that has been in the family for three generations. We follow Jack as he ponders over his options of continuing with the restaurant that he has devoted his life to or accepting the offer made to him by a large restaurant corporation to buy him out. Jack is compelled to takes stock of his life and contemplate what a future without the restaurant, which is his family legacy could look like, while also considering how his decision would affect his employees who Jack cares deeply about and the local community which considers Schmidt’s a local beacon.

Jack is single, has never been married and has never ventured outside his community after college but is conflicted about his decision, emotionally exhausted and feels the need for freedom from the responsibilities he has prioritized his whole adult life that have taken a toll on his personal relationships. His thoughts often drift to the memories of those who came before him - memories of his grandmother and father - and how the restaurant has always been a safe place for him in his most difficult moments. Complicating matters further is some shocking news related to his past, that has Jack questioning some of the choices he made decades ago and his realization that his life as he knew it will never be the same again.

The narrative is shared from Jack’s perspective through past and present timelines and is interspersed with segments from a guidebook describing the town through the seasons. The writing is crisp yet elegant and the author conveys the thoughts and emotions of his characters with insight and wisdom. What I particularly liked about the writing was that even in the tensest or most emotionally charged moments, the author does not unnecessarily embellish. Both timelines are well-developed and I liked how the different threads of the narrative converge as the story progresses. There are a few plot points that could have been explored further, but this did not detract from my overall experience.

This is a slow-paced, character-driven novel with well-thought-out characters. Jack is a very likable protagonist – kind and generous - and it is easy to relate to him as broods over his past and present choices. I loved the setting and found the dynamic between Jack and his friends and employees incredibly heartening. The narrative features several subplots revolving around Jack’s friends and acquaintances deftly woven into the story, which allow us a better understanding of Jack as a person and his relationships with those he holds dear. The tone of the novel mostly shifts between nostalgic, melancholic and contemplative, but the author balances this with several light-hearted and heartwarming moments that make you smile. The ending felt realistic and I liked how the author concludes the story on a hopeful note and does not force an overly dramatic ending.

A story about family, community and human connection, legacy and personal growth, this is a beautifully written novel that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven stories that inspire pause and reflection.

(On a personal note, Delaware and Rehoboth Beach hold a very special place in my heart and reading a story set there brought back some fond memories.)

This was my first Ethan Joella novel and I hope to explore more of his work.

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

 Forty-four-year-old Camryn Lane has just published her debut novel “ Burnt Orchid” – a commendable achievement after years of unsuccessful attempts, all the while navigating her personal life and responsibilities and her career as a high school counselor. But her joy is short-lived after she receives a caustic email from an unknown sender which is soon followed by a harshly worded one-start review on a popular book review site, which is just the beginning of a disturbing chain of events – a deluge of negative reviews, online trolling and harassment. As the situation escalates, her personal relationships begin to suffer, aspersions are cast on her professional ethics and integrity and she soon realizes that she stands to lose everything she worked so hard to achieve. The narrative follows Camryn as she searches for the person targeting her.

This was my first Robyn Harding novel and I was excited to read it. I loved the premise of the The Haters and thought it was well-crafted. The suspenseful mystery with plenty of twists and surprises made for an engaging read. The narrative is presented in short chapters from Camryn’s first person POV with segments from Camryn’s book interspersed throughout the novel. The author’s depiction of how online trolling and bullying affect the mental health of those who are targeted was realistic and relevant. I could sympathize with Camryn’s plight, but given her age and maturity, I was surprised by some of the choices she made. The final reveal was surprising and though I didn’t find the motive entirely convincing, I’m always happy when my theories are proved wrong and I did like how the author chose to end the novel.

I liked the idea of chapters from Camryn’s book interspersed throughout the narrative but also felt that this messed with the pacing of the primary plot and rendered the novel a tad too long. The chapters from Burnt Orchid were intense, but I failed to see the purpose of including so many chapters into the text of the narrative and found one particular aspect in this regard at the end more than a bit contrived. I'm not a fan of adult fiction (in this genre) wherein teenage drama outweighs other aspects of the story. This is a personal preference, but it detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. However, I did appreciate the sensitive themes that the author has addressed.

I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Megan Tusing and Jess Nahikian, who did a commendable job of breathing life into the story.

It does feel weird giving a (relatively) lower rating to a book that so many of my GR friends have enjoyed, but I assure you I'm not a "hater." I didn’t dislike this one in its entirety, but also didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d expected!
 

 A murdered antiques dealer and a mysterious package that has smugglers, drug dealers and art forgers racing to get their hand on it, online scammers targeting the elderly and their own life situations – the members of the Thursday Murder Club have a lot on their plate! DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna de Freitas would have preferred to keep our senior sleuths from getting involved in the murder investigation but when has anyone or anything ever stopped the very capable Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim from doing what they do best? When Donna and Chis are sidelined by the National Crime Agency who take over the case, guess who they team up with?

With Bogdan pitching in, the Thursday Murder Club, Chris and Donna leave no stone unturned as they try to figure out who murdered Kuldesh Sharma, the eighty-year-old antique dealer who was a friend of Elizabeth’s husband Stephen, try to locate the mysterious package that everyone suspects Kuldesh had received before his death, and also identify an online scammer who has targeted one of their fellow residents at Cooper’s Chase retirement community.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman is a cleverly crafted cozy mystery that combines a suspenseful plot with a perfect balance of humor and emotion. The author deftly weaves several subplots into the primary narrative without detracting from the murder mystery or adversely impacting the pace. The subplot revolving around Elizabeth and Stephen was deeply moving and I appreciated the insight and compassion with which the author has tackled several sensitive issues, including aging, age-related illness, loss and grief. I enjoyed Joyce’s journal entries, which are always a joy to read. I also liked how Joyce had a more active role to play in this installment. The author does justice to all of our main characters, each of whom has a distinct role to play. I particularly like how each story in this series not only revolves around new mysteries but also features supporting characters introduced in previous installments, which gives us a sense of continuity while also contributing to the character arcs of our main characters.

With its riveting plot with plenty of twists and turns, deeply moving depiction of sensitive themes and the author’s signature wit and humor, this installment ranks as one of my favorites in the series.

I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Fiona Shaw, which made for a thoroughly enjoyable immersion reading experience.

Please note that this book does not work as a standalone. I would strongly recommend reading these books in series order.

The author has mentioned that we will have to wait for the next book in this series as he is currently developing a new series. I‘ll be eager to meet these characters again and also look forward to reading the author’s new series.
 

 The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman picks up five years after the events in The Bookstore Sisters. The Gibson sisters, Sophie and Isabel, who have since returned to Brinkley’s Island, run the Once upon a Time Bookshop with a bakery section selling delectable treats based on their late mother’s recipes. Isabel and Johnny Lenox are planning their wedding for the fourth time, after their last three plans fell through at the last moment due to unforeseen circumstances.

The narrative follows Isabel and Sophie as they navigate the challenges that come their way as they plan for Isabel’s wedding.

“Love makes you do unexpected things. It’s never what you think it will be.”

This is a lovely story that revolves around themes of family, sisterhood, love, second chances, community and of course the therapeutic value of books and reading. Stories such as these are rarely unpredictable, but what makes them special is the journey to the end and Alice Hoffman does not disappoint! I loved the bookstore setting and the author’s depiction of the close-knit community and how everyone banded together to support the sisters in their time of need was truly touching. A few emotionally heavy themes are woven into the narrative and the author addresses the same with compassion. I loved the literary references and the baked treats with their enchanting names. Beautifully written with endearing characters (including a dog named Hank, who has a very important role to play), and full of hope and heart, this is a heartwarming story and a wonderful addition to this short story series.

I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

“He informed her that a famous philosopher had written that people lived their lives forward and only understood them when they looked backward. But by the time that happened, there was usually very little time left. Life would slip away before you knew it, so you had to live every day as if it was your last, for it just might be. Today would soon be the distant past, and you would have to strain to remember what you did or who you spoke to.”

This was my Amazon First Reads selection for July 2024.
 

"Here in Tokyo’s neighborhood of secondhand bookstores is our little bookshop. It’s full of little stories. And it holds within its walls the thoughts and hopes and feelings of a great many people.”

It was wonderful to revisit Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood and the Morisaki Bookshop once again, the story picks up with Takako, her uncle Satoru and Satoru’s wife Momoko who has returned to her husband after years apart. Takako is now gainfully employed in a design studio, having moved on from the events described in the previous book and is now in a new relationship. Satoru and Momoko are running the bookshop, but Takako often spends her free time at the ship and fondly remembers the time she spent living in the apartment above. The narrative follows the joys, sorrows and struggles of these characters, their friends and their customers as they go about leading their daily lives.

But when tragedy strikes, it is up to Takako to remind her uncle how important the bookstore is to everyone around them and how their love for books and reading can help them through the most difficult of times.

“When I’m sad, I read. I can go on reading for hours. Reading quiets the turmoil I feel inside and brings me peace. Because when I'm immersed in the world of a book, no one can get hurt,”

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (translated by Eric Ozawa) is a short and simple yet emotionally moving story that revolves around themes of family, love, grief, healing and personal growth, and the of course, the magical power of books and bookstores. Whereas the previous novel focused on Takako’s journey as she dealt with heartbreak and disappointment, the second book in the series revolves around the interpersonal dynamics between people in Takako’s life and the role the Morisaki Bookstore plays in their lives. The pacing is on the slower side and despite the slightly stilted writing, I thought that the story flowed well. I loved the setting and thought that the characters were well thought out. I found the quirky characters amusing and enjoyed the literary references. There were a few subplots that were left unexplored and I certainly hope we get the opportunity to meet these characters again. I wish we had learned more about the neighborhood and the second-hand book business, but this does not detract from my overall experience.

“People forget all kinds of things. They live by forgetting. Yet our thoughts endure, the way waves leave traces in the sand.”

Though this is the second in a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 I loved the premise of Ivan, Boris and Me by Suze Leonie. The story revolves around twenty-five-year-old artist/children's book illustrator Elodie Ginsburg and her clown Boris, who has been her closest companion ever since she was four years old. Elodie lives with Boris, who creates much chaos in her life, in the house she inherited from her late grandmother. She is not particularly close to her family, who don't approve of her career choices. When she strikes up a friendship with her new neighbor Ivan Lennard, a former professional cyclist who is also dealing with his own life problems, she notices Boris behaving even more erratically than usual. As the narrative progresses we follow Elodie as she navigates her budding friendship with her new neighbor, her strained relationship with her family especially her mother who is critical of everything Elodie does and the shift in her her dynamic with Boris.

The novel touches upon themes of loneliness, emotional abuse, social anxiety, individual coping mechanisms, kindness, compassion and personal growth. The author poignantly portrays the deep impact of emotional abuse on a person’s sense of self-worth. The characters are well thought out and the narrative flows well. I loved the descriptions of Elodie’s artwork. Boris’s antics and the interactions between Boris and Elodie were hilarious. Elodie is an endearing protagonist - kind and thoughtful despite her inner struggles - and I was invested in her journey and was glad to see her evolve into a more confident individual.

This is a well-written, imaginative and emotionally impactful story with endearing main characters and much to reflect upon. The ending felt a tad rushed and I would have liked it if the author had delved deeper into some of the important issues that were addressed in the novel. My heart ached for Elodie and I could sympathize with her plight, but there were some issues that I found hard to ignore, such as how clueless everyone around her was to her situation, which seemed unrealistic. I did like how Ivan and Elodie’s dynamic evolved through the course of this novel, but I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and felt that the ending was abrupt, though I did appreciate that the author ended the story on a positive note.

I do not want to venture into spoiler territory, but I think you would enjoy this more if you could take the story lightly, which was not possible for me on account of the sensitive themes.

I loved the cover art!

Many thanks to Fidessa Literary for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 The second book in Rob Rinder’s Adam Green Mystery series begins with the murder of a popular television presenter captured on live television. Jessica Holby, co-host of “Wake Up Britain!”, dies from anaphylactic shock after tasting a dish prepared by celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks, a regular guest on the show. Brooks is the prime suspect after it is discovered that the dish was laced with an ingredient to which it was public knowledge that Jessica was allergic.

Though he is expected to watch and learn as they prepare for the upcoming trial, it soon becomes clear to Adam Green, now a Junior Barrister, that there might be more to the case than meets the eye and as he pursues his deep dive into Jessica’s life and her associates, it is gradually revealed that Jessica had a fair share of people in her life who possibly held a grudge. Adam is also asked by one of his seniors to help on another trial involving a teenager found in possession of illegal weapons and whose family is suspected of having criminal connections.

As with the The Trial, the plot is not particularly intense or complex, despite the parallel storyline woven into the primary narrative, but it is definitely well-written and entertaining. The narrative is consistently paced and well-structured. The mystery is well-crafted and I enjoyed following Adam’s character arc as he navigates a stressful work environment and the expectations of his seniors, tries to strike a balance between his personal life and professional friendships, struggles to venture out of his comfort zone and begins to realize that mistakes can be made in the pursuit of justice despite the best intentions. I also liked how the author describes Adam’s work environment. The characters and the setting are portrayed realistically and I liked how the author depicts the competitiveness and the work pressure and how the same affects Adam and other newcomers. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and the investigative segments. I also appreciated the element of humor added to the narrative, in the form of his phone conversations with his mother, in chapters interspersed throughout the narrative.

The ending is indicative of a third book with what (I hope) might be a relatively more intense plotline. Overall, I enjoyed The Suspect by Rob Rinder and I eagerly await the next book in the series.

Though this is the second book in the series, it does work well as a standalone. I would, however, recommend reading the first book as it is an enjoyable read and does give you a bit more insight into Adam as a character.
 

The fourth installment in Michael Robotham’s Cyrus Haven is a dark, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving read and a worthy addition to the series.

Years ago, Evie Cormac, then a child of eleven/twelve, was rescued from a room in a home where she had been hiding, where she witnessed a man brutally tortured to death. No one knew who she was or how she came to be in that room. In the years since, Cyrus Haven, a forensic psychologist and profiler who works with law enforcement, has helped Evie in her efforts to deal with her trauma and has been a supportive presence. Her true identity and what she has endured are no longer a mystery, but there are memories of her earlier life and how she fell into the hands of her abusers that have yet to be recovered.

Evie is now twenty-two years and though she has been able to move forward, she is still haunted by the traumatic events in her past. Evie’s memories of certain events are vague, but she is triggered when she witnesses the horrific scene of the bodies of migrants washing ashore at Lincolnshire beach during a seaside trip with Cyrus. The sole survivor, a traumatized teenager, reveals that the boat carrying him and other migrants was deliberately rammed by a trawler, causing it to sink.

Cyrus who is asked to assist in the investigation into the incident, also tries to help Evie unlock her repressed memories as they search for the people responsible for the tragedy – a search that takes Evie and Cyrus to Scotland among people who know more than they are disclosing and would not hesitate to hurt them to protect their secrets. What awaits them in Scotland? Who is The Ferryman? Is he just a myth, or does this entity truly force migrants to pay for their crossing? Will Evie finally be able to remember what happened to her and her family, or will this lead to another dead end?

Intense and gripping, Storm Child by Michael Robotham is an exceptionally well-written novel. The narrative, presented from the first-person POVs of Cyrus and Evie, touches upon themes of trauma and healing, criminal conspiracy and human trafficking, kidnapping and sexual abuse of minors, murder and the refugee crisis. Evie’s memories are shared in flashbacks as the narrative progresses and the author deftly weaves past and present timelines, dual POVSs and several subplots into a well-paced, tension-filled and deeply immersive narrative with a satisfying ending. The author writes with depth and strong attention to detail. I’m glad the author ends the story on a positive note and I enjoyed following the narrative as the mysteries were unraveled with plenty of surprises that kept me hooked until the very end.

Given the subject matter, this is not an easy read. The dark themes are disturbing and might be triggering for some readers and descriptions of the migrant bodies washing ashore will remind you of the heartbreaking pictures we have seen in the headlines.

I loved how Evie has evolved over this series and I continue to appreciate the dynamic between Cyrus and Evie and how their connection has helped both of them explore their own tragic pasts. Both character arcs are well thought out and I’m curious to see what the future holds for both characters. I eagerly await the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Scribner for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Though this book could be read as a standalone , I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of the characters.