Book Review: Under the Naga Tail

• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
• Publication Date: February 7, 2023
• Author: Mae Bunseng Thing, James Taing (Contributor)
• Genre: Memoir | History | Nonfiction
• Page Count: 352

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Review

It was the mid to late seventies when I could have cared less for what was going on in other countries. As a high schooler then, I was oblivious to the communist actions conducted by the Khmer Rouge. So as I read Under the Naga Tail in present day, I am reminded that history is so important and should not be ignored.

There are no words to explain the pain and suffering that the Chinese Cambodians like Mae Bunseng Taing had to endure under the Khmer Rouge regime. It’s unfathomable to think that such atrocities on the tens of thousands even occurred.

Under the Naga Tail is a testament to the people like Mae whose perseverance and determination fortified their resolve to escape war torn Cambodia.

Told in the first person point of view, the story unfolds from the very beginning of the unrest until Mae’s escape to America. There are photos that highlight the families while living in the refugee camps, and photos of Mae as he successfully integrated into American life and found meaningful purpose.

Under the Naga Tail wasn’t the easiest to read due to the subject matter. But, it certainly left a memorable impression that I won’t soon forget. Five stars.

I received a finished copy of the book from Greenleaf Book Group Press through Bookish First. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

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ARC Review: The Soulmate

• Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
• Publication Date: April 4, 2023
• Author: Sally Hepworth
• Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
• Page Count: 336

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Review

After several unsucessful attempts at finding their dream home, Pippa and Gabe have finally found it. It’s a beautiful cliffside home with a lovely view and it’s close to the beach — perfect for Gabe’s surfing expeditions. Unbeknownst to them, however, is that their latest home has a reputation. A reputation for being the most popular stage for people to end their lives.

But Gabe has the uncanny ability to talk would-be suicides into walking away from the deadly deed. And Gabe’s reputation as a savior resounds in the village where they live. Then one day, Gabe encounters his first unsucessful attempt at thwarting a jumper.

As with any death in the area, investigators are called to the scene to rule out homicide. As the investigation moves forward, Pippa learns that Gabe knew the victim. Pippa then wonders what other secrets has Gabe been hiding? But, Pippa has secrets of her own as well.

The Soulmate isn’t anything like the author’s prior novels. I found it somewhat slow moving and lacking the mystery and suspense that I’m used to. I probably expected a lot more. Especially since I was so impressed with her other novels.

The story unfolds through multiple points of view through past and present timelines. And as each perspective is told, the plot is revealed in layers, like an onion. Each layer uncovers new details and secrets. Except for one flaw, the story would have been a page turner. But an early reveal would have stopped the story dead in its tracks.

I didn’t care too much for the characters, except for maybe Gabe’s boss’ wife, Amanda. Amanda’s rendition of the events really made the story complete. The other players such as Gabe and Pippa irritated me. Gabe was neurotic and Pippa just enabled his behavior. The rest of the cast were pretty generic.

I don’t consider The Soulmate Hepworth’s best, but I’m not ruling out any of her future offerings. The Soulmate still rates up there with 3.5 stars rounded up.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

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ARC Review: Beyond that, the Sea

• Publisher: Celadon Books
• Publication Date: March 21, 2023
• Author: Laura Spence-Ash
• Genre: Historical Fiction | Women’s Fiction
• Page Count: 368

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Review

World War II is in full swing in London and at that time, Operation Pied Piper was instituted to relocate its children to locations where the risk of bombing attacks was low or non existent.

Beatrix Thompson, eleven years old at the time was one of many children to be sent away. Hoping for the best, Beatrix’ parents, Millie and Reginald made the gut-wrenching decision to ship their little girl overseas to the United States. Boston to be exact.

Unaccompanied and frightened, little Beatrix crosses the Atlantic towards a better and safer future. A new life with Ethan and Nancy Gregory along with their children, William and Gerald awaited her. Beatrix would eventually fit in and conform to the norms of life in the U. S. But what awaited her at the end of the war?

Beyond that, the Sea is a masterful work of historical fiction. It’s one of the best that I’ve read so far. Amazingly, it is the author’s debut novel and it’s a must read for historical fiction aficionados.

The story unfolds through a linear timeline spanning three decades from 1940 to 1977. The timelines are cleverly displayed at the bottom of the pages so I didn’t get lost or needed to backtrack to the beginning of each chapter to determine the correct period.

Multiple points of view dot the novel’s landscape, alternating between the children and parents. The author’s storytelling skills really shine here as she deftly manages to capture the perspectives of both children and adults, as well as seamlessly weaving the story between two countries.

Beyond that, the Sea is definitely an unforgettable novel. Full of emotion, love, and family, it is a novel that I would not hesitate to re-read time and time again. Five outstanding stars.

I received a physical ARC from Celadon Books. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

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ARC Review: Cozy Case Files #17

• Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
• Publication Date: January 24, 2023
• Authors: Ellie Alexander; Jean-Luc Bannalec; Olivia Blacke; Rhys Bowen; Clare Broyles; Anastasia Hastings; Diane Kelly; Olivia Mathews; Gigi Pandian; Paige Shelton
• Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
• Page Count: 300

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Blurb

This editions has THREE cozy series starters for you to enjoy. Set in 1885 London, Of Manners and Murder follows Violet as she discovers that when you represent best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course. In Vinyl Resting Place, three sisters knew there could be some scratches on the track when opening Sip & Spin Records in Texas, but no one was expecting to find a body deader than disco in the supply closet. And in Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New York, investigating a murder was never supposed to be on Spice Isle Bakery’s menu in Against the Currant.

Catch up at what’s happening at your favorite eateries in Muffin But the Truth.

Check in to see the latest renovation projects in The Raven Thief and Primer and Punishment.

Travel abroad to Edinburgh and Brittany in Fateful Words and The Body by the Sea. Or visit New York at the turn of the century with the incomparable Molly Murphy Sullivan in All That is Hidden.

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Review

Cozy Case Files #17 is a collection of nine cozy mystery excerpts. Each excerpt is several chapters in length which provides enough detail to get a taste and flavor of the full length novel.

Most of the authors showcased in this book are new to me so I was eager to read what each of them had to offer. I wasn’t too keen on the non U.S. based stories for some reason. Maybe it had to do with location familiarity. And one excerpt happened to be the 19th installment which I shied away from being that I probably would be lost at the get-go.

Several books stood out for me and I’ll probably snag copies of them sometime soon via my local library. Notable for me were: Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Black; Against the Currant by Olivia Matthews; Muffin But the Truth by Ellie Alexander; and Primer and Punishment by Diane Kelly.

The Cozy Case Files sampler is the best way to discover new cozy mystery authors and books. Who knows? Your next best read could be waiting out there for you. Four solid stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

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ARC Review: Those Empty Eyes

• Publisher: Kensington Books
• Publication Date: March 28, 2023
• Author: Charlie Donlea
• Genre: General Fiction (Adult)
• Page Count: 304

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Review

Ten years ago, Alex Quinlan witnessed the massacre of her family. Her father, mother, and younger brother were gunned down as Alex lay hidden behind an old grandfather clock, quivering with fear.

Alex survived the ordeal only to be accused of the murders. After all, she was found holding the rifle that killed her family. Later, however, Alex is exonerated but the damage was done. Alex the sues the State of Virginia for defamation. She wins the suit and moves to the U.K. to get away from the gossip, crime mongers, and media.

In the U.K. Alex still struggles with the nagging questions of who and why her family was targeted. Thus begins Alex’s quest to find the real killer(s) and put an end to the media frenzy and speculation.

Those Empty Eyes is the second book that I’ve read from author, Charlie Donlea. It’s certainly not going to be my last and this novel was just as impressive as the last one I read. I can’t wait for Donlea’s next exciting release.

The story unfolds in multiple time lines and multiple points of view. The narrative really works this way. However, there was a transition that a point of view didn’t go as smoothly as I expected. But later I realized that if the point of view were revealed, the whole plot would have been ruined.

As the story progresses, the motive for the murder is slowly revealed and ties in the tangential narratives within the novel. There are a number of twists that were not expected. But the suspense sort of waned from the beginning.

The characters didn’t stand out in this novel and there were quite a few. I suspect that the story was more plot driven than character driven, which worked fairly well.

Overall, Those Empty Eyes is a superb read deserving of four stars.

I received a digital ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Book Review: Promise Boys

• Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
• Publication Date: January 31, 2023
• Author: Nick Brooks
• Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Teens & YA
• Page Count: 304

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Review

Funded by a generous benefactor, Urban Promise Prep had become the most prestigious college prepatory academy for at risk youth. And a lot of Urban Promise’s success was due in part to Principal Kenneth Moore’s no nonsense approach to discipline and a demerit system that supposedly kept the students in line.

Among all the students attending Urban Promise, three boys stood out as troubled teens who regularly had run ins with Principal Moore. Trey Jackson, Ramon Zambrano, and J.B. Williamson were considered troublemakers and bullies at times. So when Principal Moore is found dead from a gun shot wound, it wasn’t surprising that Trey, Ramon and J.B were the lead suspects in the murder investigation. All of them claimed innocence, but neither one of them had a solid alibi. And all of them had motive.

Promise Boys is a quick read with short chapters. But the story really packs a punch with colorful and interesting characters. I loved how author Brooks managed to capture the essence of the personalities in the boy trio. Brooks’ experience as an educator dealing with at risk youth shines through in this novel.

The plot unfolds through multiple points of view over several timelines. It was easy to follow because the chapters and subchapters are clearly outlined. The narrative follows a whodunit trope, but there are a few plot twists enroute to the finale. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but there wouldn’t be a story if the witness reveal occurred early in the game.

Overall, Promise Boys is an excellent read save for the reveal toward the end. Four stars.

I received a physical copy of the books from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group through the Bookish First raffle. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

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