theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
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 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.
 

Having read and loved The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin, I was eagerly looking forward to her most recent novel and I’m glad to say that Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love did not disappoint!

Ninety-year-old retired academic Eddie Winston spends his days sorting through donations at The Heart Trust Charity Shop, where he volunteers. As he goes through boxes of donations both from those who visit the shop personally or items collected from the estates of the deceased, he endeavors to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of the original owners. Items he feels to be of special significance find a place on his “Eddie Shelf” at home, often intending to return them to their rightful owners under special circumstances or if they decide to come back for the same. Eddie lives alone with his pet guinea pig and has never been in a relationship despite having fallen in love once in the past and has never even been kissed. In the course of his work, he meets twenty-four-year-old Isabella “Bella” Williams, who has recently lost someone close to her. As Eddie and Bella become friends, Eddie tries to help Bella through her grief and Bella takes it upon herself to find Eddie a romantic partner. The story follows Bella and Eddie as they embark upon a beautiful journey of friendship, hope and healing.

With its endearing cast of characters, consistent pacing and beautiful writing I found this novel to be an immensely moving and heartwarming read that touches upon themes of intergenerational friendship, found family, love and kindness, grief, hope and healing with compassion and humor. Eddie is a lovable character and my heart went out to Bella. The story also features an interesting cast of secondary characters and, of course, Pushkin the guinea pig, for whom Eddie makes an effort to find a companion! The author deftly combines past and present timelines into a fluid narrative featuring short chapters. Both timelines are well-developed, and at no point does the story lose momentum.

Overall, this was a delightful and uplifting read with memorable characters that left me with a smile on my face!  The perfect read to top off my 2024 reading journey!

Many thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love was published in the USA on December 31, 2024.

“The remnants of a life don’t add up to much, really. Not once the big things–the fridge freezer, the three-piece suite, the body–are all boxed up and gone. What remain are the little things.”
 

 “We may spend midwinter surrounded by warmth, good food, and companionship, but Christmas coincides with the darkest time of the year, and the legends we have repeated and adapted over the centuries remind us that beyond the glow of firelight, the shadows are waiting.”

Meticulously researched and informative, The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures by Sarah Clegg is a fascinating read that delves into traditions and folklore that are rooted in the darker history of winter traditions in Europe. Featuring witches, ghouls, monsters, and other “wicked” creatures ( Krampus, Grýla, Mari Lwyd and Père Fouettard among others) the author takes us on a journey through history tracing back to the Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, to the Kalends of January celebrated through Late Antiquity and how several traditions have evolved.

“For most of the last two thousand years, the days we now call Christmas were a time when you elected false kings, when you turned the world on its head and the previously impermissible was suddenly allowed.”

Interspersed between explorations into historical and mythical origins of said traditions and present-day customs are the author’s musings and first-hand descriptions of festivities that are held throughout different regions in Europe in the present day spanning from early December to mid-January, including the Venice Carnival, the Salzburg Krampus Run and the Stonehenge Winter Solstice to name a few, traditions such as wassails, guising and much more. The author has also included a few illustrations to accompany the text, though I do wish there were more.

Though I would have enjoyed a more detailed exploration into certain customs (and perhaps some insight into similar traditions from around the world), I found this to be an absorbing read. My favorite segments were “The Lord of Misrule,” “Monstrous Visitors”, “Punishing the Wicked” and “Old Gods.”

For those who enjoy reading books on the origins of holiday traditions and dark folklore rooted in history and myth, you won’t be disappointed!

Finally, the cover art is absolutely stunning!

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published in the US on November 12, 2024.

#TheDeadOfWinter
#SarahClegg
 

 To Die For, the third installment in David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series follows former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine, who is now employed by the Office of Special Projects (a stealth operation under the DHS), on his new mission, which takes him to the US West Coast. Danny Glass, a decorated former military man presently under investigation for RICO charges, is applying for guardianship of his recently; orphaned twelve-year-old niece Betsy Odom, and Travis is tasked with Betsy’s safety in collaboration with the FBI and supervising her visits with her uncle. Travis soon realizes that there is more to Betsy’s parents’ death than meets the eye and Danny’s enemies might be targeting her next. What follows is a complex web of murder, cover-ups, corruption, government secrets and much more! Complicating matters further is “The Girl on the Train,” who, after two failed attempts, is only more determined to complete her mission to kill Travis.

Complex plotting, compelling characters, action-packed drama ( I don’t mind suspension of disbelief!) and intrigue that keeps the reader frantically turning pages – David Baldacci thrillers seldom disappoint and the author’s latest offering is no exception. A lot is going on in this novel and initially, I was a bit confused with how the different threads of the story were related, but the author deftly ties it all together as the mystery is unraveled. Travis Devine is an interesting protagonist – a former military man with a heart of gold who would do everything in his power to see that justice is served. As in the author’s other series, facets of the protagonist’s backstory are woven into the present timeline, making for strong character development throughout the series. Betsy, the precocious twelve-year-old, was a handful (I could sympathize with her plight), and I enjoyed seeing her opening up as the plot progressed. I should mention that the direction of the “The Girl on the Train” track did surprise me and I do feel that some aspects of her story remain a mystery and I would have liked to get to know more about her. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of this genre.

Needless to say, I’ll eagerly await the next book in this series  (and/or the next book in any of the author’s series).

Please note that though this installment would work well as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of past events mentioned in the course of this novel.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. To Die For was published in the USA on November 12, 2024.
 

 
“Firing pottery is like lighting a fire in your heart. There might be something inside that you’re trying your best to ignore, but it’s only by turning your gaze toward it that you can see it clearly.”

The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin (translated by Clare Richards) revolves around Jungmin, a young woman on the cusp of thirty who shuts herself away from the rest of the world after she quits her job as a broadcast writer after her disillusionment with her job and work pressure culminate in an emotional breakdown in her workplace. Living alone in a small apartment in Chestnut Burr Village, Jungmin struggles with depression and rarely ventures outside her home. On one of her rare outings, she discovers a pottery studio and gradually, as she begins to connect with the clay she is molding and the other members of the community among whom is an old friend with whom she shares a traumatic history, she also reconnects with herself.

“Sometimes it’s the things we can’t explain that leave the most distinct echoes.”

The pacing of the novel is on the slower side, which suits the nature of the story and allows us to get to know Jungmin as she embarks on a journey of healing, introspection and personal growth. I loved the setting of the pottery studio and the sense of community. The author’s description of Jungmin’s interactions and experience with clay and how the same motivates her to take stock of her life and slowly embrace change is heartwarming and thought-provoking. Regarding the secondary characters, I did feel that a few of the subplots were not particularly impactful or necessary, thereby distracting us from Jungmin’s story. Similarly, certain aspects of the story could have been explored further. I also wasn’t taken with how the romantic track was presented.

The writing is crisp (occasionally a tad stilted) with minimal melodrama. The author has addressed themes of mental health, childhood trauma, burnout and work-life balance and depression realistically and with sensitivity, but I would have appreciated the writing more had it a tad more emotional depth.

Overall, there is a lot about this novel that is praiseworthy and I found myself rereading several of the passages. I believe that it would appeal to those who appreciate character-driven stories revolving around themes of hope, healing and community.

“Happiness is enjoyed by the ones who’ve already experienced it. So make the most of it. The more you train yourself to notice your happiness, the more it becomes yours.”

I must mention the cover art which I think is beautiful!

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published in the US on October 22, 2024.

“Whether it’s pottery or life, it takes more than one attempt for them to come out right. And all that effort makes the end product more valuable, too.”

#TheHealingSeasonOfPottery
#YeonSomin
#ClareRichards
 

 In Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark, author Leigh Ann Henion combines scientific facts with her own life experiences, ‘lore and much more as she takes us across the landscape of Appalachia exploring the magical beauty of the nocturnal world and the living creatures that thrive after the sun sets.

“Darkness turns familiar landscapes strange, evoking awe by its very nature, in ways that meet people wherever they stand. In Appalachia, as everywhere, night offers a chance to explore a parallel universe that we can readily access, to varying degrees. Nocturnal beauty can be found not only by stargazing into the distant cosmos or diving into the depths of oceans, but by exploring everyday realms of the planet we inhabit.”

The author writes beautifully with a reverent appreciation for nature in all its wonder. A running theme in this stressing how artificial light pollution and the use of blue light technology are negatively impacting the ecosystem and living creatures who thrive in the darkness. The author’s exploration of how we human beings perceive, resist and experience darkness is both insightful and thought-provoking.

My favorite segments were those on synchronous fireflies, the screech owl, moon gardens and foxfire. I only wish the text had been supplemented with actual imagery.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be a fascinating read. Finally, just look at that beautiful cover!

Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on September 24, 2024.

“May we learn to love darkness as our ancestors learned to love light, so that we might play a role in nature’s reliable cycling. May we begin to recognize that, just as we’ve tended the lights up, we can tend them down—revealing wonders that are, in daylight, unimaginable. May we find our way back to natural darkness, or at least hold fast to the wilderness that still exists, so that we’ll be able to bear witness to night’s living riches. May we, as a species, relearn how to blink, letting both night and day have their space. Because it is only by the power of light and the grace of darkness that we’re able to rest and rise, then rest and rise again. That’s the beauty; that’s the blinking.”
 

 
I’ve never had the privilege of watching the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, but the 1965 movie based on the same has been a favorite of mine ever since I watched it for the first time at the age of seven. Though I was too young to appreciate the more serious themes, I adored Maria and her dynamic with the Trapp children and loved the music. My father, amused by my enthusiastic renditions of the songs ( I can’t sing to save my life, but when has that ever stopped me?), gifted me a copy of the movie (a VHS tape - this was the 1980’s!) - which became one of my most cherished possessions. As I grew older, and rewatched the movie with friends and family more times than I can remember, I began to appreciate the story, (the knowledge that it was inspired by true events rendered the movie even more special), the characters and the themes addressed in the movie more. I remember a discussion I had with a colleague in the early 2000s that prompted me to read up on the true story of the Trapp family. I will admit I was more than a tad disheartened to find out that not only were certain aspects of the story fictionalized, but that Maria was portrayed as quite different from the real Maria von Trapp. However, I was mature enough to appreciate the movie for what it was – an enchanting, fictionalized version of a true story with memorable characters and music that was pure magic!

When I chose to read Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran, I went in well-prepared and not much of what is shared about the true story that inspired the musical/movie came as a surprise. However, I did enjoy this novel and appreciate the research that went into the crafting of this story.

The novel primarily revolves around the making of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1959 Broadway musical and Maria von Trapp’s objections to the creative liberties taken in telling her story. The narrative is presented in dual timelines. The 1959 timeline is, for the most part, shared from the perspective of Fran, Oscar Hammerstein’s secretary, who is tasked with meeting Maria, who after writing a scathing letter voicing her objections, comes to New York to confront the Mr. Hammerstein and demand revisions in the script. The 1926 timeline, which also includes flashbacks from Maria’s earlier years, is shared from Maria's first-person POV.

Maria shares her story with Fran and also shares how the previous movie based on her 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (the 1956 German movie Die Trapp-Familie) and the misrepresentation of facts have fractured her bond with her family. She also shares her experiences and the challenges the family faced in the initial years after arriving in the United States. As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about Maria, the Trapp children and Georg, and whether she was ultimately able to convince Mr. Hammerstein to incorporate any of the revisions she requested.

Though the writing might feel a tad disjointed due to the jumping timelines and perspectives, the author eventually brings all the threads of the story together in an incredibly moving ending.

Do read the beautifully-penned Author’s Note where she discusses her inspiration for this novel, the source material she has referenced and the creative liberties she has taken while crafting this story. Maria’s story is one of courage, resilience, love, family, loss and hope and I commend the author for her efforts to bring the true story that inspired the musical and later the movie to a wider audience. The scope of the novel is limited to the making of the musical, but in her note, the author provides a brief glimpse into how the family fared in the years after and I especially appreciated the updates on the Trapp children.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would not hesitate to recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction inspired by true events.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

 
Revolving around themes of friendship, family, personal growth, self-acceptance and human connection, The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a beautifully written novel that will strike a chord in your heart.

As the story begins, we meet Phoebe Stone, an adjunct professor in literature in her forties, as she arrives alone at the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, with a heavy heart. This was a place that she had hoped to visit with her now ex-husband, but here she was, in a green dress and heels with no luggage. Phoebe’s room is the only one not booked for the wedding of twenty-eight-year-old Lila, who has meticulously planned a week-long sequence of pre-wedding activities leading up to the day of her nuptials. Initially mistaken to be one of the wedding people, the misunderstanding is soon cleared up, but much to Lila’s dismay, she realizes that Phoebe’s plans for her own stay would surely ruin her wedding. The narrative follows as Phobe and Lila strike up an unlikely friendship as Phoebe soon becomes one of the wedding people – an experience that might just be the nudge she needs to rethink her own priorities.

There is a lot about this book that is praiseworthy and the glowing reviews are more than justified. The description of the book suggests that this might be a light-hearted read, but this novel proved to be much more than I had expected. The author writes with heart, wisdom and humor. The narrative does suffer from minor pacing issues, but overall, the story flows well. Each of the characters was well thought out - authentic, relatable and endearing. I adored Phoebe and loved how she bonded with a complete group of strangers showing kindness and empathy to those who needed the same but also being strong and forceful in situations that demanded attention. Lila did strike me as a tad immature at times, but I could understand her motivations and why she behaved in certain ways. I loved the coverage of the pre-wedding activities – the chaos, confusion and unforeseen complications – which result in situations both humorous and heartwarming. The author’s strength lies in her characterizations and depiction of complex human emotions and I enjoyed following both Lila's and Phoebe's individual journeys over the course of the events described in this story. The author addresses several sensitive topics such as infidelity, bereavement, infertility, mental health, depression and suicidal ideation with insight and compassion. The story emphasizes the importance of being kind – to one another and oneself – the latter being something many of us forget.

Overall, I found this to be an evocative and thought-provoking read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction.

I listened to the audiobook brilliantly narrated by Helen Laser who made the characters and this story come to life. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!

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

“ ‘He led us out of the burning city of Troy and guided us across the ocean to this fertile land. He had cared for us almost as well as he has cared for his own son.’ ”
‘He’s going to found the new Troy, and be the father of many generations of our children. We owe everything to him. Without Father Aeneas, the Greeks would have destroyed everything that is Trojan.’ ”

Set in years after the Trojan War, The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson is a feminist reimagining of the story of Aeneas, the son of the Trojan prince Anchises and Venus (Roman equivalent to the Greek goddess Aphrodite), a demigod who escaped the fallen city with his infant son Ascanius, his aging father and several other survivors.

The narrative is non-linear and is presented in alternating perspectives of the women whose lives and fates were intertwined with Aeneas’s; his wife Creusa who was left behind in the burning city and who was the daughter of Trojan King Priam and Hekuba; and Lavinia, princess of Laurentum where Aeneas and the Trojans set up camp and whom Aeneas is to marry; and from Anna, a mysterious traveler, who tells the story of Queen Dido of Tyre, who founded Carthage and for whose tragic fate Anna hold the Trojan prince responsible and strangely enough, whose story Aeneas has neglected to share while he talked of his travels.

Lavinia’s perspective describes how her life and destiny and that of Laurentum change after Aeneas’s arrival. I was immersed as the narrative follows Lavinia’s thoughts and emotions as the events in Laurentum unfold - Aeneas’s agreement with her father King Latinus, his friction with Prince Turnus of Rutuli, Lavinia’s childhood friend who had hoped to marry her and the war that ensued. I was sympathetic to her situation and her pain and disillusionment are palpable as she is forced to accept that despite her being her father’s only child and having participated with her father in his role as ruler, her father’s plans for her to support her ambitions. I applauded her efforts to accept her father’s decisions but on her own terms.

The prose is beautiful and as a fan of Greek mythology (and retellings), I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The narrative is consistently paced and flows well. The structure of the novel works well to tell the story and allow us to see Aeneas as a person, with his strengths and flaws, as perceived by the women who knew him best. I liked that each chapter began with a quote from the source material. I appreciate that the author has given a voice to these women whose stories are often relegated to the background in the interest of glorifying the heroes of the Greek myths. Dido, Creusa and Lavinia not only present facets of the Greek hero revered for his origins and the prophecy that guided his actions, but they are women who deserve to have their stories told and the author has done a commendable job in this regard.

However, I thought that too much of the narrative was presented through telling rather than showing. I would have preferred that Aeneas’s adventures post the Trojan War before his arrival at Laurentum had been described in more detail. However, the telling of past events will provide those not conversant with the key players and crucial details of the Trojan War with a well-rounded, albeit brief, background to Aeneas’s story.

I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Frances Butt, who has done a brilliant job of voicing these characters and breathing life into this story. The audio narration certainly elevated my overall experience.

Many thanks to Alcove Press for the digital review copy and Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
 

 Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney by profession, is appointed as counsel for Rose Barclay, a nine-year-old girl whose parents are in the middle of a bitter divorce. Stella’s role is to determine the best custody arrangement for Rose, which entails interacting with Barclays and studying the dynamics within the family based on which a decision might be taken. Rose suffers from traumatic mutism – a condition that developed after she witnessed her twenty-six-year-old nanny, Tina de la Cruz, plunging to death from her window on the upper floor of the Barclays’ house. The circumstances surrounding Tina’s death remain a mystery and given Rose’s condition, her family – parents Ian and Beth and her grandmother, Harriet, are protective of Rose, to the extent that they would prefer to restrict Rose’s interaction with Stella.

Stella, who had a traumatic childhood herself, has Rose’s best interests at heart and tries to earn Rose’s trust, but Rose’s strange behavior on more than one occasion, her parents replacing all glass in the house with plastic and their overprotectiveness, leads Stella to believe that all the Barclays harbor dark secrets they are desperate to protect and Rose is at the center of it all. Will Stella be able to protect Rose and herself before anyone else gets hurt?

I thought the premise of House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen was truly intriguing and was completely immersed in the first half of the novel. The pacing is on the slower side, which I did not mind and I loved the sinister vibes, the murder mystery with none of the Barclays, including Rose, above suspicion and the creepy glassless house. However, as the narrative progressed, my enthusiasm dampened. Truth be told, I enjoyed the way the element of mystery was built up and the suspenseful vibe of the novel, but the story lost momentum by including certain unnecessary subplots into the narrative. While I liked Stella and admired her dedication to her profession and how protective she was of Rose, there were certain aspects pertaining to Stella’s backstory that I felt were of no consequence to the plot and certain developments toward the end felt contrived.

I wish emphasis had been placed on the mystery aspect and there had been more showing than telling. Overall, though there was a lot about this novel that I liked, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected.

I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Laura Benanti. Though the narrator did a decent job of voicing the characters and the immersion reading experience was enjoyable, this is one of those rare occasions where I preferred the book over the audiobook.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.