The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What starts out feeling like a campy mockumentary quickly turns into a horrifying nightmare that will haunt you long after you finish this book. The story development is an insane tease, the back and forth of narratives and timelines creates an intense but delightful suspense. I could read hundreds of books like this and still want to read more. The combination of mysterious disappearances, crazy religion, murder, and abandoned buildings is my favorite bookish recipe.

While the characters were a bit melodramatic for my taste, it played well into the “mockumentary” vibe and was believable considering their age. As well as with many stories I read, I wanted so much more backstory, there was enough to keep me interested and entertained, but I still was left with questions.

Everything about this story was meticulous and well-crafted and deserves high praise.

Minotaur Books and NetGalley gifted me an advanced copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MIND BLOWN! Hands down, best book I’ve read in 2021. Every emotion is touched in this beautiful piece of literature and I felt all of them in an immense way. The fact that this is Boulley’s debut is unbelievable. It’s an incredible story that expertly blends the real world (circa 2004) with Ojibwe traditions and culture.

Every single character in this book is important and necessary, their humanity is tangible. Daunis is young and strong, confident and forward, a refreshing face in an overwhelming sea of whiny, doormat female protagonists. She’s stubborn but not foolish, she’s intelligent but still manages to be age appropriate. Every interaction she has is natural and the dialogue is seamless. Even my romance averse reading preference appreciated the tender moments that happen between Daunis and Jamie and I couldn’t help but hope for their relationship to turn into something more.

Boulley doesn’t hold back, her writing style is eloquent but raw, tasteful but real. There were several moments where I swear my heart stopped, my breath wouldn’t come, and I had to fight back tears. Even though I had an advanced e-galley, I had to go out and buy a hard copy, I had to feel the power of it in my hands, experience it with every sense. I would recommend this book to anyone from young adult to elder, there is something to be learned and enjoyed for everyone. I will be singing its praises for a long time coming.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

THE PVRITAN by Birgitte Märgen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This scary slow-burn has words that leap off the page and images that will haunt you.

Nothing is creepier than a string of murders that seem completely unrelated except for one tiny, religious, detail. Detectives Marti and Neil hunt down a killer, leaving no stone unturned, investigating Salvadoran gang members, high schoolers, and satanic cults. Torn back and forth between Boston’s Puritanical past and the dark reality of the present, a delicious tension builds, a psychological and spiritual nightmare. Following the clues, the detectives wade through psychic tips and false confessions. Tramping through graveyards leads to gruesome discoveries and dead ends. Close calls and near misses keep you on the edge of your seat while wicked suspense will drive you through until the bittersweet conclusion.

NetGalley and the author granted me access to an advanced copy of this title. The opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Silence Is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An introspective and informative piece that will affect you in ways that you didn’t think were possible while reading a book. I find that I learn about what’s going on around the world best when I read it in the pages of a novel. Even if it’s fiction, I can still get a personal sense of what’s going on, and then I’m inspired to read more into the truth and history. This is the type of book that makes me want to delve more into what was happening on the ground, not from my vantage point of viewing media coverage.

What first drew me in was the immediate observations and people watching done by the main character of her surrounding neighbors. This type of voyeurism is always fascinating and thrilling even if it’s borderline creepy or invasive, but her careful and constant monitoring of the other tenants in and around her building are often the catalysts in this story. Different characters from around the world are all residing in these apartment buildings and it is intriguing to watch their different lives play out.

However, watching the main character grow and develop, sort through trauma and pain, adapt and overcome, is the main attraction. Stretching herself slowly and steadily testing the boundaries of what she finds safe and comfortable is what drives this story forward to its almost conclusion, because it never really ends, even when the last page is turned. Instead, you are offered a glimpse of hope into a future where she continues to heal and cope and live despite her past struggles, whilst never forgetting her true roots and heritage.

Reading this was an absolute privilege and I am thankful to Algonquin for granting me an advanced copy.

View all my reviews

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an absolute dream this story was, at least one of my personal dreams, to stumble upon an obscure piece of history and mystery. I was absolutely transported with this book to one place in two different time periods and I just want to go back and sit in the apothecary shop and observe, a fly on the wall.

Such a delightful cast with a wide range of characters, from preteen to elderly, everyone had an important part to play and they were all beautifully put together. With a little bit of relatable drama, some historical details, and a lot of imagination, a wonderful story unfolds. My only complaint is that it wasn’t longer.

I have always been fascinated by early medicine and pharmacopeia, the use of herbs and plants in healing, so this book was such a treat. Additionally, what a joy it was to find some recipes (minus the poison) for tea and cookies in the back of this book. I can’t wait to try them out.

View all my reviews

Don't Scream by Margaret Murphy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Requesting this book, I did not realize it was the third in the series, and unwilling to start a story three books in, I read the prior two books so that I was up to speed on character relationships and backstories. This was a wise move because so much of the story, while centered around police procedurals, is tied to knowing and appreciating the long-term players.

This installment was my favorite, so far, and it was a bit more fast-paced than the previous slow burns. Visually, the story was terrifying and unique, rich with particulars, and unfortunately heartbreaking. It was almost akin to a modern day Sherlock, with a little less quirk but plenty of personality. The overall story is quite heartbreaking, especially if you’re a parent, but it is written with such care and sensitivity that you can’t help but want to seek justice for the victims.

As a fan of reading stories set in the UK, and mysteries, this definitely scratched that itch and I look forward to future additions.

View all my reviews