• Book Reviews

    Ghosts

    Ghosts by Edith Wharton My rating: 5 of 5 stars Edith Wharton’s Ghosts is an absolute gem that beautifully combines her literary brilliance with the timeless allure of ghost stories. Wharton’s collection of supernatural tales is not just haunting but also exquisitely crafted, balancing spine-tingling suspense with her signature wit and elegance. Wharton uses the ghostly theme to explore deeper emotions like regret, longing, and the unseen forces that shape people’s lives. Her ghost stories are not about cheap thrills; they are about the eerie undercurrents of human experience. The haunting is subtle, making it all the more unsettling. Each story in the collection is distinct, but they all share…

  • Book Reviews

    The Vanishing Hour

    The Vanishing Hour by Seraphina Nova Glass My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Vanishing Hour in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Seraphina Nova Glass’s The Vanishing Hour is a thrilling, atmospheric page-turner. It masterfully combines psychological suspense with emotionally gripping drama. From the moment you open the book, you are thrust into a tense, chilling narrative. It keeps you guessing until the very end. The Details Glass’s ability to craft complex, layered characters is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. The protagonist, Grace, is immediately relatable. Her vulnerability…

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  • Book Reviews

    The Mystery Guest

    The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Mystery Guest in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Nita Prose’s The Mystery Guest promised an intriguing return to the quirky, engaging world of The Maid, but unfortunately, this sequel falls flat in several key areas. It struggles to maintain the freshness, depth, and emotional resonance that readers might have expected after The Maid’s success. The Details The novel follows Molly, the lovable hotel maid from the first book, who now faces a new challenge: solving another…

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  • Book Reviews

    The Cloisters

    The Cloisters by Katy Hays My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Cloisters in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Katy Hays’ debut novel, The Cloisters, is a captivating and atmospheric blend of historical mystery and academic intrigue. It keeps readers on edge from beginning to end. Set primarily within the mystical, ivy-draped walls of The Cloisters, a gothic museum in New York City renowned for its medieval art collection, this novel explores the dark undercurrents of ambition, power, and obsession. The story follows Ann Stilwell, a young academic who…

  • Book Reviews

    The Things They’ve Taken

    The Things They’ve Taken by Katie McElhenney My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Things They’ve Taken in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist The Things They’ve Taken by Katie McElhenney offers a unique blend of fantasy, adventure, and young adult drama. It follows the journey of Lo, a girl whose mother has been taken by a supernatural force. To rescue her, Lo teams up with a mysterious and brooding guide named Shaw. They venture into a strange and dangerous world filled with magical creatures and perilous challenges. The Details…

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  • Book Reviews

    Don’t Believe It

    Don’t Believe It by Cindy R. Wilson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Don’t Believe It in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea is a gripping and enthralling mystery that captivates readers from the first page to the last. Donlea masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The Details The story follows a true-crime documentary filmmaker who delves into a decade-old murder case. As she unravels the layers of the investigation, secrets…

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  • Book Reviews

    Women of the Dunes

    Women of the Dunes by Sarah Maine My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Women of the Dunes in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Sarah Maine’s Women of the Dunes is a haunting and atmospheric novel that seamlessly weaves together the past and the present, exploring themes of family, legacy, and the enduring power of myth. The Details Set against the rugged backdrop of the Scottish coast, the story follows the intertwining lives of three women separated by centuries but connected by fate. In the present day, archaeologist Libby Snow…

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  • Book Reviews

    A Body in the Bookshop

    A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Body in the Bookshop in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox is a delightful and charming cozy mystery that will appeal to book lovers and mystery enthusiasts alike. Set in the quaint English village of Knavesborough, Cox’s novel follows the amateur sleuthing adventures of librarian turned detective, Kitt Hartley, as she investigates a murder that shakes the quiet community to its core. The Details Cox’s writing is…

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  • Book Reviews

    What Happened That Night

    What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of What Happened That Night in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Deanna Cameron’s What Happened That Night is a compelling young adult thriller that delves into themes of trauma, family secrets, and the quest for truth. While the novel delivers an engaging and suspenseful narrative, it occasionally falters in character development and pacing, making it a solid but not exceptional read. The Details The story centres around Clara Porterfield, a teenager grappling with the aftermath of a…

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  • Book Reviews

    Aix Marks the Spot

    Aix Marks the Spot by Sarah Anderson My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Aix Marks the Spot in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Sarah Anderson’s Aix Marks the Spot offers a light and engaging read, ideal for fans of cozy mysteries. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Aix-en-Provence, the novel provides a delightful blend of travel, mystery, and a touch of romance, though it occasionally falls short in terms of plot complexity and character depth. The Details Anderson’s vivid descriptions of Aix-en-Provence are a highlight of the book, transporting…

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