Review: Daisy Darker (by Alice Feeney)

My Rating:  4 stars

Let me start off by saying that this review will be super short and super vague, as it's very hard to talk much about this book without giving something away.  To get the full experience of this one, it's necessary to go into it knowing as little as possible (and yes, that includes NOT reading the blurb if you can help it). Pretty much the only thing you need to know is that this is a murder mystery that revolves around the Darker family, who come together to celebrate the 80th birthday of family matriarch Beatrice (known as Nana throughout the story) at Sea Glass, her decades-old crumbling estate that is only accessible when the tide is low.  What happens from there, you will need to read the book to find out.



Having read all of Alice Feeney's books, there's no doubt in my mind that she has absolutely mastered the art of the plot twist.  Her newest work, aptly titled Daisy Darker, is yet another dark, twisty thriller that takes readers down the path of the unexpected, leaving us guessing every step of the way.  Similar to last year's hit Rock Paper Scissors, Feeney creates an atmospheric setting through the gothic-style,isolated "estate-on-an-island", though this time around, the house is as much a "main character" in the story as the Darker family that occupies it.  I'm not sure if it's just me, but each book Feeney writes seems to get creepier and creepier, though that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just something to be aware of for those who might be sensitive to such things.  

While I'm not a fan of dysfunctional family stories where every single character is deplorable in some way (to the point that I honestly couldn't bring myself to like anyone, even for a little bit), that didn't prevent me from being so absorbed in the story that I basically finished this in one sitting.  With that said, even though I did "enjoy" this one overall, I wouldn't consider it a "favorite" (that would actually go to Feeney's first and fourth novels, for me at least).  Even though not all of her books work for me (there's one in particular that left such a bad taste in my mouth that it almost turned me off to Feeney's works at one point), I still look forward to reading them  (mostly for the story, not the characters), but especially to see what twists she will have up her sleeve next!

Received ARC from Flatiron Books via NetGalley.

Review: Rock Paper Scissors (by Alice Feeney) **Blog Tour**

My Rating : 4.5 stars

I've been a fan of Alice Feeney's work since I read her debut Sometimes I Lie, a suspense thriller I still remember to this day, even though I read it 4 years ago. That book absolutely blew me out of the water with its plot twist so well-done, that I still ponder over it even now.  I read both of Feeney's follow up novels (her sophomore novel I Know Who You Are as well as her third novel His & Hers), and while I liked both well enough, neither was able to live up to the magnificence of her debut (in my opinion at least).  Going into Feeney's fourth book Rock Paper Scissors (which publishes this month), I wasn't really sure what to expect — would this one be closer to the "blow me out of the water" experience of her debut or the "good but not too memorable" experience of her two subsequent works? (Hint: definitely the former!).  In fact, I actually feel that Rock Paper Scissors is Feeney's best work to date (and that's saying something considering how much I loved her debut). 

As is the case whenever I review thrillers, I try to be as vague as possible so as not to give anything away (which is why this review will be short and sweet without saying much).  With this book especially though, you definitely want to go in knowing next to nothing and let the story take you along for the (wild) ride.  Feeney is known for her shocking plot twists that absolutely no one sees coming — of course this book is no exception (it's actually more "twisty" than Sometimes I Lie, which I didn't think was possible, yet all the twists are done in a way that feels natural rather than forced).  I've read so many thriller and suspense novels over the years that very few of them are able to surprise or shock me (and even fewer have plots that I'm not able to figure out by the time I get the end of the story) — well, count this book as one of those "few" (it shocked me and took me completely by surprise).  

Fans of Alice Feeney absolutely need to read this one, but even if you're not a fan, I still recommend picking this one up, especially if you love thrillers. (and if you haven't read Sometimes I Lie, definitely read that one next).  I do suggest blocking out enough time to read this one all in one shot though, as most likely you are not going to want to put it down once you start it.  Similar to my reaction after reading Feeney's debut several years ago, I now absolutely cannot wait for her next book to come out — please let it be sooner rather than later!

Received ARC from Flatiron Books via NetGalley.

Review: Of Women and Salt (by Gabriela Garcia)

My Rating: 4 stars

In trying to rate this book, I feel a bit conflicted.  On the one hand, I loved the beautiful, lyrical writing and the way that the author, Gabriela Garcia, was able to capture the emotional nuances of her characters so perfectly (and seemingly effortlessly).  I love family stories that span generations and I felt this one was particularly well done in terms of showing the generational connections between the various women as well as how the decisions each one makes impact each other in a profound way.  I also found it admirable how Garcia was able to cover so much ground in such a short novel (this one clocked in at a little over 200 pages), seamlessly weaving into the narrative timely and important topics such as illegal immigration, deportation, the border crisis, drug addiction, domestic and sexual abuse, etc., alongside political and historical events related  to Cuba and the revolution that occurred there, plus aspects of the Cuban culture and community.  The way that Garcia presented the struggles that her characters (women some from the same family but different generations, others not from the family but connected somehow) go through, I felt like I was getting a first-hand account more powerful than what usually gets presented in the news.  I definitely learned a lot!

 

With all that said, one of the things that didn't work too well for me was the non-linear structure of the story.  I didn't have a problem with each chapter being told from the perspective of different characters, but what made this a frustrating read for me was the jumping back and forth between multiple timelines and settings in a non-chronological way (for example – jumping from 2018 to 1866, then to 2014, then to 1959 then to 2016 then back to 2006, etc.).  I found it really difficult to keep track of the story arcs and ended up having to flip back and forth a lot.  I think if I had been able to finish this book in one sitting, it would've been fine, but the reality is that I'm rarely able to do so with how busy my life often gets.

 

Overall, I feel that this is a strong, assured debut that's also a necessary read, especially for readers who like well-written contemporary fiction that not just reflects current times and issues, but also incorporates historical aspects as well.  Definitely highly recommended, though with the caveat that it's best to read this one all in one sitting if you are able to.  It's also not an easy read by any means due to the heavy (and oftentimes controversial) topics it covers — though triggers abound, it's still very much a worthwhile read.

Received print ARC from publisher (Flatiron Books) via BookBrowse.

Review: His & Hers (by Alice Feeney)

My Rating:  4 stars

When it comes to thriller / suspense novels, Alice Feeney has become a "go-to" author for me ever since I read her debut novel Sometimes I Lie — a book that was so brilliantly and intricately plotted that it easily became one of the best books in the genre that I've read thus far.  Given how much I loved her debut, I had high expectations for her sophomore novel I Know Who You Are when it came out last year — unfortunately, that book went the other direction and in the end, left a bad taste in my mouth.  While the experience didn't put me off from still wanting to read Feeney's future works, it did make me a bit wary about what to expect.  This is why, going into her third novel His & Hers, which comes out at the end of this month, I was a bit apprehensive — luckily, this one ended up going more in the direction of Feeney's first novel rather than her second one. 

As with all thriller / suspense novels, it's best to go into this one knowing as little as possible, which is why I won't be going much into the plot with this review.  The only thing that needs to be known is that the story alternates between 2 main perspectives — the "hers" perspective is Anna Andrews, a news anchor living in London, and the "his" perspective is Jack Harper, a detective in a small town named Blackdown.  There is a "third" perspective interspersed throughout — that of the killer, whose identity is anyone's guess right up until the very end.  And herein lies the brilliance of Feeney's novels — as soon as we think we have things figured out, a twist is thrown in at the end that completely upends everything we thought previously.   All 3 of Feeney's novels so far have left me in a state of shock after I finished reading — not necessarily because of the content (though do be forewarned that all her novels lean toward "dark and twisty" and can be uncomfortable reads) — but more because I never saw what was coming, not even for one second, but then after the "ultimate reveal," when I go back through and review the clues, it makes perfect sense, to the point that I can't believe I never picked up on it.  

Though Feeney's second novel wasn't a good experience for me, she essentially "redeemed" herself in my eyes with this third one — however with that said, her debut novel is still my favorite out of the three.  I still recommend this newest one though, especially to fans of Feeney's works and/or those who read her previous novels.  For those who've never read this author, a word of warning that all her books deal with heavy, often controversial subject matter, along with flawed, morally questionable characters who more often than not turn out to be unlikable.  Triggers abound and many of the scenes will likely make the reader uncomfortable (and maybe even squeamish).  Her books definitely aren't for everyone so just know that if you're deciding whether to try her works or not.

Received ARC from Flatiron Books via NetGalley.

Review: Whisper Network (by Chandler Baker)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Written as a response to the #metoo movement and the various sexual harassment scandals that have made headlines over the past few years, author Chandler Baker’s propulsive new book The Whisper Network is an interesting look into corporate elite culture and a male-dominated work environment where “whispers” and rumors abound.  The story’s powerful opening line sets the trajectory of the narrative into motion:  “If only you’d listened to us, none of this would have happened.”  The narration alternates between the perspectives of 4 women – Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Roselita – all employees of a fictious sports brand corporation in Dallas called Truviv, Inc. who are affected to varying degrees by the sudden death of the company’s CEO Desmond Bankole.  As the next in line to take over the CEO role, Ames Garrett is used to having things go his way in both his personal as well as professional life and is looking towards this highly anticipated promotion to cap a decades-long illustrious career.  Things go according to the expected trajectory for Ames…that is, until the “whispers” that have surrounded him finally come to a head amidst accusations of sexual harassment by the women in his workplace who are tired of their complaints being ignored.  As Ames’ world comes crashing down, so too does that of the 4 women who decided to speak up against him, as long-held secrets come to light that threaten to hinder their efforts. 

This was an interesting read, also a timely and relevant one given what has been happening in society the past few years.  The author Chandler Baker did a good job depicting the struggles that many women encounter in the workplace, especially in the corporate environment where majority of the highest-ranking executive positions are still largely dominated by men.  In addition to the core narrative surrounding the 4 women at the center of the story, there were also snippets of police interviews interspersed throughout that provided clues as to some of the events that happen as well as some background information on the characters, which I thought was cleverly done.   Another aspect that made this story so relatable was the way Baker incorporated real life events into the narrative, things that I had read about in the news (such as “the spreadsheet” that had been circulated around a few months back) or had either experienced or witnessed personally in the corporate business world that I’ve worked in for many years.   Sexual harassment can manifest itself in different ways in the workplace, especially in an office setting, where sometimes the lines can easily become blurred or situations such as being subject to a hostile work environment are less recognizable as an offense that can also constitute harassment – for me, it was refreshing to finally see an author bring these issues to the forefront in the form of a fictional story, which I feel is more powerful in terms of raising awareness than a non-fiction format. 

With all that said, the aspect of this book that didn’t work too well was classifying it under the “mystery/thriller” genre, as I felt the suspense element was truly lacking throughout the story.  This was not a book that kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to find out what happens and to be honest, the plot was actually quite predictable (even the ending I already saw coming and had already worked out most of it by the time I reached that part of the story).  Regardless though, this was still a worthy read in my opinion, one that has a strong message delivered in a way that hit all the key points but didn’t come across as overbearing.   I’m glad I read this and would readily recommend it, especially for those who work in a corporate setting currently. 

Received ARC from Flatiron Books via NetGalley

Review: The Family Tabor (by Cherise Wolas)

My Rating: 4 stars

Having read (and loved) Cherise Wolas’ masterful debut novel The Resurrection of Joan Ashby last summer, I went into this book, her sophomore effort The Family Tabor, knowing that I would be treated to yet another beautifully written story with well-developed, realistic characters.   Wolas’ writing is exquisite – she is one of those rare talents who is able to take seemingly ordinary, everyday events and turn them into gorgeously rendered scenes, with descriptions that are intricate and richly detailed, yet deftly woven into the story in a way that never feels overwritten (to me at least).  As she did with her characters in her previous novel, Wolas goes deep into the minds of each member of the Tabor family and slowly, gently, brings forth the issues that each character faces, the inner conflicts that they struggle with and how those feelings, those emotions that feel so real, impact the rest of the family.  This is a character-driven story through and through and once again, just like with Joan Ashby, we get to know each of Wolas’ characters intimately, understand what makes each of them tick, the motivations behind their decisions, and the extent to which their backstories as well as actions taken in the past affect their lives in the present.

This is one of those books that requires a certain amount of patience to read, not because the concepts are particularly complicated or hard to understand, but rather the story is very introspective, and in a sense, almost requires the reader to approach with a contemplative mindset.  To me, there was also a philosophical element to the story and despite the descriptive details, I felt that there was also profound meaning in some of what was left unsaid throughout the story, leaving room for us to reflect and apply our own thoughts rather than dictate a particular direction to follow.  The story this time around also focuses on family dynamics and the delicate balance between the necessity of maintaining the bonds of family while still following one’s individual path and beliefs, however with this story, there was also the added element of faith and religion, which ended up being a bit more central to the story than the author originally intended (here’s a link to Wolas’ interview with Publisher’s Weekly where she talks a little bit about the religious element in her book: PW interview).   As a reader who is always seeking to learn about cultures different from my own, I appreciate the knowledge that I was able to gain about the Jewish faith, most of which was previously unknown to me.

With The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, Cherise Wolas set a tremendously high bar for herself and while I feel that this book lives up to those standards and is as excellently written as her debut, it didn’t have as profound of an impact on me as her previous novel did.  I had connected deeply with Joan Ashby, perhaps because of her being a writer and a storyteller, which are both things that are huge in my life as well.  In comparisons, I didn’t connect with the Tabor family as deeply, despite knowing them so intimately through the author’s amazingly intricate characterizations.  Even with that said, this was still a wonderful book, one that I enjoyed and savored, though didn’t “love” as much as the first one.  With yet another impressive work that I had the privilege of reading, Wolas is now on my list of favorite new “must-read” authors.  I can’t wait to see what she will come out with next!

Received ARC from Flatiron Books via NetGalley.

Review: Sometimes I Lie (by Alice Feeney)

My Rating:  4.5 stars

Wow, what a ride!  This was one of the best psychological suspense/thrillers I have read to date, and also one with the most “twists and turns.”  This book was so hard to put down that I devoured it in two sittings, frantically turning pages in anticipation of finding out what was going to happen and then being surprised as each twist was bigger than the one before it.  The ending left me reeling and to be honest, even after reading the last few paragraphs a few times, I’m still not quite sure I “got” it – I don’t know if the author Alice Feeney intended to leave the ending up to interpretation or perhaps a follow-up is planned, but either way, the suspense level was definitely pushed to the max.  The entire story was unpredictable and just when I thought I had something figured out, the plot went in a different direction altogether – basically, the more I read, the more I didn’t know who or what I should believe, yet at no point did I feel frustrated with the direction the story went, which to me is an indication of the author’s skill and talent.  The title of this book, Sometimes I Lie, is absolutely fitting – in fact, I would say it’s the perfect title given everything that happened in the story.

If I were to choose one word to describe this book, I would absolutely choose the word “clever.”  The format of the book is cleverly laid out with chapters simply titled Now, Then, and Before – the author slowly reveals clues throughout the alternating chapters, then cleverly weaves each revelation in one chapter into the backstory in the next chapter.  Despite the seemingly complicated structure, the author made it look effortless, as the story flowed extremely well, though there were a few scenes involving one of the characters (Edward) that I thought were not all that necessary while there were a few other characters that I had hoped to learn more about.  Overall though, these small “gripes” were insignificant and did not affect how much I enjoyed this read. 

Almost all of the reviews on this book advise to go into this one knowing as little as possible, which I absolutely agree with – this is why I opted to write this review as vaguely as possible while still relaying my general feelings on what I had read.  I highly recommend this one and am sure that thriller fans especially will enjoy it!

After I finished the book, I immediately went online to research more on the author as well as the book.  Once again, I am completely blown away by the fact that this amazing work is actually the author’s debut novel and am equally floored to hear that some parts of the story were actually based on her personal experiences, which explains why so many of the scenes – especially the ones in the hospital – felt so real.  I also found out that the author has a second book coming out in January 2019 (for those who are thinking this is perhaps the “follow up” to this story, the author clarified in an interview that the story is completely unrelated but will be just as “dark and twisty”).  You can bet that I will be one of the first in line to get my hands on the second book when it comes out!!

Received ARC from Flatiron Books via NetGalley