theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1377 reviews

 “Leaving is one thing, but staying away is another.”

Set in 2018 Dublin , Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell revolves around Ciara Fay , former English teacher and presently homemaker and mother of two in her mid-thirties, who decides to take her two young daughters, Sophie and Ella, and leave her controlling and emotionally abusive husband, Ryan, after five years of marriage. This is her second attempt to escape her marriage to Ryan, who outwardly appears to be an ideal life-partner, having left him once two years before only to return soon after. Ciara’s family lives across the sea and she has no close friends she can turn to for support. Having given up her career after marriage, Ciara has only a bare minimum of funds to support herself and her children until she can find a job and is put up in a hotel room as waits for her turn on a long list of those awaiting social housing. Complicating matters further is Ryan, who oscillates between asserting his parental rights, threatening to take legal action and emotional manipulation, resulting in Ciara doubting herself and second-guessing her decision on more than one occasion. We follow Ciara, pregnant with her third child and concerned for her children’s well-being, as she navigates her way through financial struggles, homelessness, Ryan’s manipulations, and limited means of social aid as she strives to rebuild her life.

“I cannot hear myself think. I do not know who I am anymore. I do not know if I exist. I feel like a ghost. Life energy drained. A bloodless, cowered feeling.”

Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell is a dark yet realistic and emotionally impactful novel. The author writes eloquently, with insight and compassion (with minimal melodrama) as she addresses several sensitive themes including marriage and motherhood, gaslighting and emotional abuse, homelessness and much more. The author brilliantly captures Ciara’s state of mind - her fears and insecurities, her loneliness and moments of self-doubt as she navigates her way through much adversity. Ciara is a memorable protagonist and admired her courage and resilience and was invested in her journey of hope and healing.

Written against the backdrop of the Irish housing crisis, the story also paints a realistic picture of how women such situations are left to depend upon the kindness of strangers and the limited resources available for shelter, counselling and financial support. It is impossible to not be affected by this novel and reflect on Ciara’s circumstances and the difficult choices women in similar situations are forced to make and how important it is for them to have a support system to help them through the process . This is not an easy read but is definitely an important book that highlights relevant and important social issues.

Heart-wrenching but hopeful, I found this novel to be an evocative, thought-provoking read and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Please note that the subject matter and certain themes addressed in this novel may be triggering for some readers.

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 3.5⭐

”The world went on in spite of its prisoners.”

Set in 2014, Florida A Season of Light by Julie Iromuanya revolves around the Nigerian immigrant Ewirike family: Fidelis- a barrister and former POW of the Nigerian Civil War and his wife Adaobi, an educator and their children sixteen-year-old daughter Amarachi, “Amara” and fourteen-year-old son Chukwudiegwu “Chuk".

News of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping in Borno State, Nigeria, triggers a traumatic response in Fidelis, taking him back to the year he spent fighting the Civil War in Nigeria and the tragedy that befell his family and the disappearance of his younger sister Ugochi. His sense of past and present blurred, concern for his daughter’s safety prompts Fidelis to lock Amara, who bears a strong resemblance to Ugochi, in her room keeping her from leaving the house. Though he makes a point of attending to her needs, he offers no explanation or justification for his actions. We follow the family members as they try to cope with Fidelis’s increasingly erratic behavior while struggling with their own trauma.

“War had wounded his flesh and a prison had wounded his psyche. Anything more would be an assassination.”

With its fascinating premise and well-defined characters and touching upon themes of war, PTSD, generational trauma, mental health, family dynamics, immigration and assimilation and much more, A Season of Light by Julie Iromuanya is a thought-provoking novel. The narrative, shared from multiple perspectives follows the family members as they try to make sense of their reality and the shifting dynamics within the family. Past events are mostly shared through recollections from Fidelis or Adaobi’s perspective. The author deftly incorporates a few elements of Nigerian tradition, belief and history into the narrative and has done a commendable job of describing the reactions of the children, who were unaware of the family history and the events that trigger Fidelis as well as Adaobi who shares much of Fidelis’s trauma, and her efforts to balance her husband's needs while trying to do the best for her children. Of all the characters, I was most drawn to Adaobi, though I did question a few of her decisions. I also appreciated getting to know Amara, who struggles to find a voice under the weight of expectations within a strongly misogynistic family framework. The character of Chuk, bullied by his peers yet trying to conform to his father's expectations as the son of the family, could have been explored in more depth.

Despite the strong premise and interesting characters, the narrative lacks cohesiveness and as the story progresses, the introduction of certain subplots -relatively inconsequential details and storylines - slows down the pace of the story and distracts from the central themes of the novel. As the different threads of the story converge toward the end ( which I felt was a tad rushed following a relatively slower build-up), the narrative not only becomes a tad disjointed and lacks in emotional depth, but also leaves certain aspects of the novel unexplored. Had the past timeline been described in more depth, this would have rendered the novel a more well- rounded, intense and affecting read.

This novel certainly has potential and though there is a lot about the writing that that is praiseworthy, overall, it does fall short in its execution.

“They had all been through too much. The world could never understand. Their children would never understand. No one could ever understand the choices they had made, even the ones for which they might never atone. War is a cruel wit.”

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 “Rainbows are funny things, aren’t they? The harder it rains, the more beautifully they shine. Who knows? Maybe it’s a gift from God, for those who’ve endured the storms.”

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang (translated by Slin Jung) is a fantastical story that revolves around a young girl named Serin who wins a “Golden Ticket” to a mysterious market that operates only during the rainy season – an experience that is rumored to enable one to change one’s life. Serin, a lonely girl with a fair share of troubles and though a tad doubtful, hopes that she will find a way to change her life for the better.

The author weaves a fascinating tale with a meaningful message, combining elements of Korean myth and folklore, wit and wisdom, magic, mystery and adventure. I had a wonderful time following Serin’s journey and loved how the author describes the Dokkaebi and the magical market. I loved how Serin bonded with Issha, the spirit creature (in the form of a cat), who guided her through the market, coming through for her on more than one occasion. Several subplots featuring a large cast of characters - some friendly and helpful and some more devious - are deftly woven into a well-paced, engaging narrative that touches upon themes of kindness, friendship, loyalty, courage, self-realization, hope and healing.

Though I wasn’t the target audience for this book (the simplistic and straightforward prose is indicative of the fact that the book is meant for younger readers), this in no way detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story. Delightful, imaginative, adventurous and thought-provoking, I found this book to be an entertaining read. I hope the author continues Serin’s story as there are a few plot points that remain unexplored.

Finally, I love the beautiful cover art!

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 4.5⭐️

“Indigenous women disappeared, they disappeared twice. Once in life and once in the news.”

After a devastating personal loss, former Chicago detective Carrie Starr returns to the Saliquaw Nation reservation in Oklahoma, where her father was raised. As the newly appointed tribal marshal she has been tasked with revisiting cold cases of the disappearance of Indigenous women over the last decade - cases that have been largely ignored, almost forgotten over time due absence of local law enforcement presence on the reservation. With minimal resources at her disposal, Carrie has to juggle keeping peace among the community over proposed infrastructural changes to the area that have several entities involved who would go to any length to protect their own interests, look into the cold cases and investigate the recent disappearance of Chenoa Cloud, a local young woman reported missing by her mother. The narrative follows Carrie as she digs deep into the lives of the close-knit community- their traditions, history, beliefs and local ‘lore, the most significant of which is that of Deer Woman - a presence Carrie experiences as she struggles to reconnect with roots, deal with her own grief, find Chenoa before it’s too late and unravel the mystery behind the missing young women.

“Deer Woman felt to Starr like the embodiment of the one thing Starr believed: that enforcing the law and carrying out justice were very different.”

Mask of the Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove is an intense and thought-provoking novel with an intricately plotted mystery at its core. The writing is powerful and the author has seamlessly woven the folklore/ magical realism element into the heart of the novel. The element of magical realism certainly enriches the narrative, as does the focus on Carrie’s cathartic journey as she grapples with her own loss. The plot-driven and character-driven aspects of the novel are well-balanced and the author has done a commendable job of highlighting real issues and describing life on the reservation – the sense of community and the constant struggle to protect time-honored traditions and preserve Native American history as well as the challenges faced by both older generations and youth - lack of opportunity, poverty and addiction, racism and discrimination, corruption, crimes against women and much more. The mystery is cleverly crafted and I enjoyed following Carrie as she leaves no stone unturned in her search for Chenoa and to see that justice is served. The pacing is on the slower side, but this suits the nature of the story and does not detract from the overall experience.

Overall, I found this to be an impactful read and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 4.5⭐️


A chance meeting between twenty-two-year-old Winona and a young woman named in a grief counseling group eventually leads to her renting a room at the infamous “Mirror House” – a rental property decorated on the outside by its residents with mirrors - where she hopes to find friends and a sense of family. Simon Spellmeyer, an eccentric former psychologist who leads the group, employs his own unconventional methods for self-improvement that the Mirror House boarders must be willing to accept. Winona, despite her misgivings, convinces herself that giving in to Simon’s methods is the best option for her. We follow Winona as she navigates the shifting dynamics within the group and Simon’s leadership and his eccentricity. As she begins to buckle under the personal and psychological pressure of being a “Mirror House girl,” will she be able to extricate herself from the hold that Simon and her new “family” have on her and if so, at what cost?

Smartly crafted with an interesting premise, unsettling and suspenseful, this is the kind of book you would want to finish in one sitting. The premise of the novel might not strike you as entirely original but Faith Gardner is a master storyteller and with her expertly sketched characters, intricate plotting ( with more than a few shocking turns along the way) and insightful exploration of cult mentality – the power, influence, psychological and emotional manipulation, and complex interpersonal and group dynamics - renders this novel an intense and absorbing read. The author does a commendable job of depicting the psychology of cult dynamics, Simon’s “Simonisms” with which he takes advantage others' vulnerabilities thereby exerting control over the group and Winona’s inner struggles – her insecurities and low sense of self - as she tries to make sense of what is truly happening inside Mirror House.

The narrative structure is interesting with most of the story presented from the first-person perspective of Winona following her journey at Mirror House and excerpts from a documentary on the Mirror House (a year after the events described by Winona) interspersed throughout the narrative. The accompanying music was a brilliant addition to the narrative, making for an overall entertaining experience.

Overall, I found The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner to be a riveting read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Though not a part of the author’s Jolvix series, I did enjoy the blink-and-you-miss-it reference to the same.

I always enjoy the bonus chapters in which the author ends her stories and “Home” was no exception!

I eagerly look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Many thanks to the author and Mirror House Press for the digital ARC of this novel via BookSirens. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 Two women from different walks of life – Stephanie Monroe and Jasmine Littleton – cross paths on a flight to Denver- Jasmine hoping for a fresh start and on the run from an abusive partner and Stephanie on her way to attend a conference in San Diego. Seated in the same row, they share casual conversation during the flight. A few days later, each of them is untraceable, and strangely enough, the last few messages Jasmine and Stephanie each sent to their close friends mention being charmed by a man by the name of Trent McCarthy. Coincidence? What happened to these women and how is Trent McCarthy connected to these disappearances? What follows is a complex web of deceit, manipulation and much more.

An entertaining psychological thriller The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia had me frantically turning pages until I got to the very end. The short chapters and consistent pacing with twists, turns, and revelations that shock and awe rendered this an unputdownable read for me. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she throws in another shocker, proving me wrong time and time again! The narrative is cleverly structured and shared from multiple perspectives spanning the days before, during and after the plane trip, continuing through when the women are discovered to be missing and the immediate aftermath. The narrative does suffer from minor repetition, with more than one character on occasion presenting their version of the same events, but this in no way detracts from the overall reading experience. The author has done an impressive job of weaving a fast-paced, well-rounded and intense narrative that at no point loses its momentum, topping it off with an unpredictable ending.

As for most books in this genre, suspension of disbelief is required to enjoy the ride. I finished this book in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Overall, I found this to be an impressive debut novel, well deserving of the praise it has garnered. I would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of this genre and I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 3.75⭐️

“Most people approach cold cases with the mindset that there is one simple answer, just waiting to be uncovered. But life isn’t so simple. We all carry our own individual truths, our own stories, our own reasonings for our actions. No one wants to be the bad guy, and so we distort facts to suit our images of ourselves, and we do this so often that eventually, the lie becomes the truth.”

Forty years ago, university professor Einar Pálsson and his nine-year-old son Magnus left their hometown of Bifröst, Iceland for the United States after the gruesome murder of his twenty-six-year-old wife local schoolteacher, Marie and their six-month-old daughter, Agnes. Though he was never formally charged with the murders, friends and neighbors were convinced of his guilt. Forty years after the murders Agnes Glin, Einar’s twenty-seven-year-old granddaughter arrives in Iceland hoping to clear her late grandfather’s name. As the fortieth anniversary of the murders approaches True Crime podcaster Nora Carver has decided to feature “The Frozen Madonna case” and is happy to have secured Agnes’s participation. Agnes has been struggling with an injury and the grief of losing her dear grandfather one year ago and hopes to find out more about the case and her family history. Growing up the events that transpired in Iceland were rarely mentioned and she has to rely on existing records and the memories of those who knew her parents (most of whom remain convinced of Einar’s guilt) to piece together what happened all those years ago and unravel the mystery behind the unsolved murders. Locals maintained a bizarre fascination with the case of “the Frozen Madonna and Child ” and the “Bifröst Murder House” (Agnes’s family home) which has been kept in its original state by the new owner. Complicating matters further is the fact that a young university student was reported missing after attending a party at the same venue.

Could there be a connection between the events of the past and the disappearance of the young girl? Is the true murderer still at large? How dependable are the recollections of those who knew the family? Will Agnes find what she is looking for, and if so, at what cost to her own well-being?

"Memories change every time we access them."

Atmospheric and intriguing, The Lost House by Melissa Larsen is a well-crafted mystery that will keep you hooked until the very last page. The author does a brilliant job of setting the scene, with vivid descriptions of the icy landscape and the family home, transporting you to Iceland with Agnes. The narrative is presented, for the most part from Agnes’s perspective and follows her as she braves the icy weather, struggles with her own opioid addiction and tries to get to the truth behind the murders of her grandmother and aunt. The pace is on the slower side, but this works for the book, contributing to the atmospheric and suspenseful tone and allowing us to get to know the characters. Most of the past events are presented as recollections of the family’s friends and neighbors and while not all can be trusted , I thought the author does a great job of establishing the possible suspects and motives in this manner. The present-day mystery is comparatively more straightforward but cleverly crafted. The author does a skillful job of weaving the different threads of the novel into an absorbing narrative and I liked how the subplots converge as the truth is revealed. The author strikes a perfect balance between the plot-driven and character-driven elements of the novel. It was heartening to see Agnes’s faith in the innocence of the man who helped raise her and the author has depicted Agnes’s inner dilemma and how she faces her own demons in the process of revisiting her family history. A running theme in this novel is how true crime is sensationalized, often at a great emotional cost to those who are personally affected by the same. There were a few moments and revelations toward the end that felt a tad rushed, but overall, I found this novel to be a gripping read and was invested in Agnes's journey.

This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.


Many thanks to St. Martin's Press /Minotaur Books for the digital ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 Two and a half years after he left his friends and family in Potsdam, New York, forty-two-year-old Kyle McCray is called back home after his father suffers a stroke.

Returning home means facing everything and everyone he left behind - his father Danny, his ex-wife Casey with whom he had been together for twenty years, his former brother-in-law Wyatt whose concern for his sister has prevented him from moving away on his own and his friends and colleagues. Casey tries to hold him at arm’s length, but her concern for Danny with whom she shares a close bond makes it difficult to keep a distance. Kyle initially intends to leave once his father recovers, leaving everyone to get on with their lives, but he is unable to stay aloof and begins to realize how his departure impacted those close to him. As Kyle is roped in to coach the middle school hockey team, he will have to adjust to working with Casey, a teacher who is also involved in managing the team, but it won’t be easy for either of them.

As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about Kyle and Casey, their backstory and the events that resulted in the collapse of their marriage and follow them as they navigate their feelings for one another, their grief over all they have lost and much more.

Heartbreaking yet hopeful, What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange is a beautifully written novel that touches upon themes of love, family, grief and second chances. The narrative is presented in dual timelines - “Then” and “Now,” with the past timeline covering the history of Casey and Kyle’s relationship from when they were teenagers up to the events that prompted Kyle to leave and the significant events that occurred between then and “Now,” and the present timeline following Casey and Kyle after Kyle’s return.

Presented from the perspectives of Kyle and Casey, the narrative allows us to understand our main characters and their innermost thoughts and emotions in great depth and you cannot help but feel invested in their journeys – both as individuals and as a couple. The secondary characters are also well-developed and each of them has a significant role to play, including Star, the family dog whose reactions to Kyle and the shifting dynamics within the family are sensitively depicted.

Author Tracey Lange writes with deep insight and compassion as she tackles issues such as grief, mental health and much more. The author’s strength lies in her characterizations and the deep insight, maturity and compassion with which she writes about complex human emotions. Each of these characters is flawed and relatable and their struggles, regrets, guilt, pain and hope inspire pause and reflection.

Overall, I found this novel to be an incredibly moving story that left me with a smile on my face and a lump in my throat. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy character-driven fiction. Please note that there are certain sensitive issues tackled in this novel that might prove disturbing for some readers.

I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt, who have done a brilliant job of breathing life into these characters making for a satisfying immersion reading experience.

This is my third Tracey Lange novel and definitely my favorite of the three. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 3.5⭐ (rounded up because I loved the audio narration)

“Sometimes I think we are all the unreliable narrators of our own lives.”

One year after the mysterious disappearance of his wife Abby, author Grady Green is facing financial troubles and struggling with his writing career. Despite his last book being a NYT best seller. Consumed by grief for his missing wife, he is unable to write and his publishers aren’t happy. His agent, who was also his wife’s godmother, throws him a lifeline, offering him the use of a cabin on a Scottish island, previously owned by a successful writer, which she inherited upon his demise. But the remote island of Emberly, population of twenty-five, holds many secrets. From seeing a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to his missing wife, to the eerie occurrences at his cabin and the strange behavior of the locals – Grady soon realizes that not all might not be at it appears on this isolated island and he is trapped. Is there any truth to what he is experiencing or is his mind playing tricks on him? Will he be able to figure out the truth behind his wife’s disappearance and escape before it's too late?

“Marriage is made of a million beautiful and ugly moments stitched together into a shared tapestry of memories, all of which are viewed and remembered slightly differently, like two people staring at the same painting from opposite ends of a room.”

With its vivid atmospheric setting, intriguing plot and interesting cast of characters Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is an engaging psychological thriller. I enjoyed following the narrative, which is shared from dual perspectives, as it progressed and thought the author did a good job of building tension and at no point did the narrative lose its momentum. there is a lot to unravel and the author does a great job weaving the different threads of the plot into a well-paced, fluid narrative. You will be required to suspend disbelief (as is to be expected from novels in this genre), but the twists and turns and eerie occurrences will leave you unsettled (more than a few spine-chilling moments!) and keep you guessing. Though there were a few elements in the plot that didn't quite appeal to me and a few aspects of the mystery were not too difficult to predict, I was surprised by more than a few of the revelations along the way. I wasn’t particularly taken with the ending, but overall, I did find the story engaging. Though Beautiful Ugly won’t rank among my favorite Alice Feeney novels, I certainly enjoyed it more than her last two offerings.

I listened to the audiobook which I thoroughly enjoyed with the brilliant narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton (9 hours and 19 mins at 1x speed) complete with sound effects that made for an atmospheric and immersive audio experience. The audiobook certainly enhanced my overall experience with this novel.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 After his fiancée's son is charged with the murder of his long-time on-again, off-again girlfriend, Rusty Sabich, retired judge and former Kindle County, IL defense attorney now in his seventies, is back in the courtroom. Defending Aaron, who is in his early twenties and was living with Bea and Rusty while on probation after serving a short sentence for drug possession, won’t be easy given that Mae was found dead after Aaron stormed off after an argument with her while on a road trip together. Initially reluctant to defend someone who is practically family, not only does Rusty worry about how defending Aaron would affect his relationship with Bea, Aaron’s mother, but complicating matters further is the fact that Mae’s family is well-connected and influential in the legal community and law enforcement, with Mae’s grandfather someone Rusty considers a friend and holds in high regard. Aaron is the only suspect and Mae’s family firmly believes that he killed Mae. The narrative follows Rusty as he leaves no stone unturned fighting to prove Aaron’s innocence and unravel the mystery behind Mae’s murder.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Grover Gardner. This was a lengthy audiobook (a little over 20 hours at 1x speed), but the suspenseful and consistently paced plot and expert narration kept me immersed in the story. Issues such as addiction, racial bias and discrimination, infidelity, and complex family dynamics are deftly woven into the narrative which is shared from Rusty’s first-person perspective The author writes skillfully, with a perfect balance between the legal thriller/ mystery angle and the complicated interpersonal dynamics between Rusty, Aaron, Bea and those close to the case. The courtroom scenes are thoroughly riveting and the mystery is well-crafted with enough red herrings, secrets and twists to keep you guessing.

Overall, I found Scott Turow’s Presumed Guilty to be a gripping legal drama/thriller and I couldn’t recommend it enough for fans of the genre.

This was my first Scott Turow novel and though I haven’t read the preceding books in the author’s Presumed Innocent series (like many others, I loved the Apple TV series based on the first book) I had no problem following the plot as the narrative featured just enough of the relevant backstories/information to make for a well-rounded reading/listening experience. I certainly hope to pick up the other books in this series!

Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.