Of goodbyes and new beginnings

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Hi readers! How are you? I’m writing this post in a bit of a dream haze, just days after welcoming my beautiful baby Maia into the world. I don’t usually share personal details here, but let’s just say that only a year ago, I thought this day would never come for me. Thankfully, with the help of doctors and maybe a bit of a miracle, I was proved wrong. Now she’s here, and she’s absolutely perfect 💘

I’m writing this post because over the past few months, I got back to writing book reviews and realized how much I missed it. I set up a Substack newsletter and also returned to WordPress, unsure of which format I wanted to stick to or which would be better for me and my circumstances. I spent a few weeks juggling both, considering the pros and cons of each platform, and with baby Maia here, I finally decided the newsletter format would be a better fit.

I know some of you are already subscribed to the newsletter (and you don’t know how much that means to me), but I wanted to write this post in case those who aren’t might also want to stay in touch and keep reading what I have to say about books.

You don’t need to do anything special—just click the link below, enter your email, and you’ll start receiving an email every now and then with:

  • Book reviews
  • Book lists and recommendations
  • Maybe some film/TV recommendations?
  • Maybe some personal insights?

Subscribe to The Misstery newsletter

I promise not to be annoying; I’m not planning on posting super often (Maia will surely not allow me to 😁), but I’d love it if you’d help me continue my bookish project there.

Of course, I’m still subscribed to your blogs and will continue to be, so whenever I’m used to the parenting thing here, I’ll keep reading, liking, and sharing your posts whenever I can. I wouldn’t want to lose touch with this wonderful bookish community that has brought me so much joy.

Thank you for everything and read you soon!

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Review: The Mercy Chair by  M. W. Craven @LittleBrownUK @MWCravenUK

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Washington Poe has a story to tell.

And he needs you to listen.

You’ll hear how it started with the robber birds. Crows. Dozens of them. Enough for a murder . . .

He’ll tell you about a man who was tied to a tree and stoned to death, a man who had tattooed himself with a code so obscure, even the gifted analyst Tilly Bradshaw struggled to break it. He’ll tell you how the man’s murder was connected to a tragedy that happened fifteen years earlier when a young girl massacred her entire family.

And finally, he’ll tell you about the mercy chair. And why people would rather kill themselves than talk about it . . .

Poe hopes you’ve been paying attention. Because in this story, nothing is as it seems . . .

My review:

It’s no secret that this series is one of my absolute favorite procedurals; there hasn’t been a book I didn’t enjoy, largely thanks to Tilly and her endearing relationship with Poe.

This book started with a bang. The first few chapters were incredibly intriguing, and as the story progressed, I understood why reviews described it as the darkest installment yet. The case centers around a despicable man who led a cult and whose death is connected to a family’s tragedy years ago. The book tackles tough issues such as religion, conversion therapy, torture, and toxic family dynamics.

I deeply enjoyed the change in structure. This time, Poe narrates the story, providing some great moments and adding a fresh dynamic that suited the story well. This narrative shift was perhaps what I loved most about the book; the author did something different and succeeded brilliantly.

While I can’t say the case was my favorite or that it was my favorite Poe book to date, I must admit that just when I thought there weren’t enough surprises and the case seemed straightforward, the author introduced a couple of plot twists that turned it into a deeply smart and creative read.

I agree with some comments that there wasn’t enough Tilly in the latter part of the book. I missed her terribly. And yes, some decisions at the end made me sad, but I understand they will be addressed in the next installment. I trust the author will, as always, make our time worth it with another great mystery from our favorite duo.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Review: Swift River by Essie J. Chambers

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Summer, 1987. On the sweltering streets of the dying New England mill town of Swift River, sixteen-year-old Diamond Newbury is desperately lonely. It’s been seven years since her father disappeared, and while her mother is determined to move on, Diamond can’t distance herself from his memory. When Diamond receives a letter from a relative she has never met, she unearths long-buried secrets of her family’s past and discovers a legacy she never knew she was missing. The more she learns, however, the harder it becomes to reconcile her old life with the one she wants to lead.

So begins an epic story spanning the twentieth century that reveals a much larger picture of prejudice and love, of devotion and abandonment – and will change Diamond’s life forever.

My review:

This historical coming-of-age novel tells the story of Diamond, a young teenager grappling with bullying and a sense of not belonging. We witness her family’s journey, marked by the disappearance of her father years ago and her mother’s struggles to maintain a job and provide proper care. One day, Diamond receives a letter from her aunt that offers a deeper understanding of her father’s side of the family and the challenges faced by the Black community in her town.

The book is a relatively easy read, never boring, and not overly long. It contains some engaging sections, but I never quite connected with the story or the characters. The concept of the novel is compelling, as I enjoy historical fiction that delves into themes of race, family, and legacy, however, despite both storylines being easy to follow, I never felt the intended power and emotion, nor did I sense a cohesive connection between them.

While the book features beautiful prose and an important underlying story, it felt somewhat disjointed. I believe it had the potential to be more impactful than it ultimately was, and for me, it was just “okay.” Additionally, there were some unresolved matters, particularly regarding Diamond’s father, that I wish had been explained further.

Overall, this is a decent piece of historical fiction, a quick read, and definitely beautifully written. However, it won’t become a favorite or linger in my memory for long.

⭐⭐⭐

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