Book Review: Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez

 

From the publisher: 

An eerie, hypnotic debut about friendship, desire, and memory set against the sultry backdrop of Florida’s swamplands.

LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE

It’s been years since Ingrid has heard from her childhood best friend, Mayra, a fearless rebel who fled their hometown of Hialeah, a Cuban neighborhood just west of Miami, for college in the Northeast. But when Mayra calls out of the blue to invite Ingrid to a weekend getaway at a house in the Everglades, she impulsively accepts.

From the moment Ingrid sets out, danger looms: The directions are difficult, she’s out of reach of cell service, and as she drives deeper into the Everglades, the wet maw of the swamp threatens to swallow her whole. But once Ingrid arrives, Mayra is, in many ways, just as she remembers—with her sharp tongue and effortless, seductive beauty, still thumbing her nose at the world.

Before they can fully settle into the familiar intimacy of each other’s company, their reunion is spoiled by the reemergence of past disagreements and the unexpected presence of Mayra’s new boyfriend, Benji. The trio spend their hours eating lavish meals and exploring the labyrinthine house, which holds as much mystery as the swamp itself. Indoors and on the grounds, time itself seems to expand, and Ingrid begins to lose a sense of the outside world, and herself.

Against this disquieting setting, where lizards dart in and out of porches and alligators peek from dark waters, Gonzalez weaves a surreal, unforgettable story about the dizzying power of early friendship and the lengths we’ll go to earn love and acceptance—even at the risk of losing ourselves entirely.

Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez was published July 22, 2025 by Random House.

My Thoughts: It's a good haunted house/gothic novel. The story is told from Ingrid's point of view. To me she came across as a pretty normal person. Not really happy with her job, looking for love, and she has family ties. Presented with an opportunity to revisit an earlier friendship that was very important to her, she feels ambiguous. Last time they saw each other didn't go spectacularly. Pushed together in this way out of the way place, Ingrid tentatively tries to bond with Mayra again. 

It's awkward with Mayra's boyfriend Benji around. He's doing everything for them - cooking, cleaning, laundry. Their happiness seems to be paramount to him to the point of being creepy. And as they explore the house, they keep finding creepy little details that make them wonder about the previous residents.

The narrative takes on a dreamlike tone the longer they are there. Ingrid feels like she is forgetting something, but not quite what. She is lulled into a false sense of security. It's at this point, you speculate what is causing the disconnect. I somewhat expected the source, but there were still surprises. I ended up staying up to finish it once I hit the 90% mark. I had to know what would happen next.

I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars. Dreamlike, the story is a little slow in a few places. It still moves the ladies further down the path to the conclusion. And it makes the ending feel positively manic. I enjoyed the book as a whole. I would recommend it for people who enjoy gothic literature and gothic horror.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Have you read Mayra? What did you think?

Book Review: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 

From the publisher: 

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.

In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.

Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was released July 15, 2025 by Del Rey.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Told in 3 timelines, three women have experiences with witches that are different from what we typically read. They overlap a little bit throughout the book. Even though there are 3 timelines, in the end they are successfully tied together. 

My favorite character was Minerva. I also had a lot of respect for Nana Alba. I felt that they were the most well written. The book was kind of gross at times - some of the occurrences of witchcraft were both frightening and kind of disgusting. This did not in any way take away from the story. It just was a part of it.

The pace of the novel went well. Towards the end, Minerva's story really had me flipping pages and refusing to talk to people until I finished it. There were other similar points in the other stories too, but Minerva's was the strongest.

I gave The Bewitching 5 stars out of 5. It's very well-written. It has good characters and good pacing. If you are a fan of horror, or gothic literature, or Silvia Moreno-Garcia, this is not a book to be missed.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion nor my review.

Book Review: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

 

From the publisher:

Finlay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet . . . but at least there's not a body in her backyard.

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay’s house, right across the street.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case—or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.

When the focus of the investigation widens to include Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, though, Finlay and Vero are left with little choice but to get closer to Mrs. Haggerty and uncover her secrets . . . before the police start digging up theirs. But who will solve the mystery first?

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano was published March 4th, 2025 by Minotaur Books. This is book 5 in the series.

My thoughts: I was really looking forward to this book. I was not disappointed. There is a really good mystery. A little less Vero than I would have liked, but more Mrs. Haggerty. Mrs. Haggerty is often a scene stealer, but this book couldn't have happened without her.

Characterizations were well done. Finlay continues to grow in her relationship with Nick. Vero and Javi are struggling to grow as a couple. Mrs. Haggerty is gradually revealed as the plot goes on.

The story moves along at a good pace. It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. As in the other books some of the goings on are a stretch of the imagination, but overall it's a fun read.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I wasn't crazy about the cliffhanger at the end of the book, but I was happy with the way the mystery was resolved. I would recommend this series to people who enjoy humorous cozies. And it's better read from book one on. This series would make a great beach read.

Book Review: Death of a Legend by Caleb Wygal

From the publisher: 

Clark Thomas returns, ready to embark on a new chapter in Myrtle Beach. But everything is not as normal as he hoped.

Clark takes his visiting friend, a huge country music fan, to the Legends Theater to watch her favorite musician perform – Dolly Parton. Except, this Dolly isn’t the real Dolly. She’s an incredible impersonator who travels the country entertaining legions of fans who believe she’s the next best thing.

The theater is hosting a special concert series featuring fan-favorite celebrity impersonators, such as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, The Blues Brothers, and Elvis Presley. What starts out as a great evening goes awry when one performer collapses on stage during the concert. In the aftermath, rumors of foul play arise, throwing Clark into an investigation to uncover if the collapse wasn’t driven by natural causes.

As Clark’s search for answers unfolds, he questions the other performers and discovers that deceased had enemies. When the police get involved Clark must navigate an insular cast and a police investigation, while trying to entertain his friend and her son.

Once more, the case leads to Clark facing a life-changing moment where he must figure out what happened and what to do next to protect the ones he loves.

“Death of a Legend” promises a thrilling blend of mystery, suspense, and depth, showcasing the masterful storytelling that fans of the Myrtle Beach Mystery Series have come to love.

My thoughts: Death of a Legend by Caleb Wygal is a well-written mystery. The chapters are told from either Clark's point of view or Gina's. This really works out well for the readers because it allows twice as much information to be passed onto them. 

There are many suspects. It seems like almost everyone has a motive. And the method of murder is interesting. I had only heard of it being used for assassinations before, but it is believable here as well, especially in the end.

There are a fair share of red herrings because of the number of suspects and how long they'd known each other. The plot progresses at a good pace. I was surprised in the end when the big reveal is played out. This is a good thing.

I gave this book 5 stars out of 5. It's well written. The alternating point of view is handled in a good way and adds to the book. It's well paced. And the ending was unpredictable for me. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a good mystery. Be aware, though, that the epilogue gives a possible set up for the next book in the series. I'm interested to see where the author will go with it.

Thanks to the publisher for an e-arc. This did not affect my opinions or my review.

Death of a Legend by Caleb Wygal was released May 6, 2025 from Franklin/Kerr Press. It's book 8 in the Myrtle Beach Mystery Series.

Book Review: Rose of Jericho by Alex Grecian

What would happen if the dead don't seem to stay dead? They walk, talk, and more. They aren't zombies. There's no craving to eat flesh. How did they get this way and is there a way to restore the normal order of things? It's not enough that the house they've bought is very haunted. Sadie Grace, Rose Nettles, and Rabbit find themselves confronted with this situation when they move to the small town of Ascension, Massachusetts. They are trying to keep a low profile while they investigate. And yet as the dead walk around, chaos ensues.

You might be able to read this as a standalone, but it would be better to go back and start with Red Rabbit where the characters are first encountered. This gives you more of a background as to what they are like and what they are capable of doing and how they've changed in the 10 yrs between Red Rabbit and Rose of Jericho.

I found the way that the author handled the idea of death ceasing to be interesting. He examines not only what happens to the dead physically, but how it affects their thoughts and emotions. And the living get to weigh in on how they feel about what is going on.

I gave this book five stars. It was a good read. There are some interesting characters to go with the interesting predicament. If you've read Red Rabbit and enjoyed it, this is a must read. If the plot sounds interesting to you, then you should give it a try. It's well-written.

I borrowed my copy from the library.

Rose of Jericho by Alex Grecian was released March 11th, 2025 from Tor Nightfire.

Book Review: Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg

 

From the publisher:

Whimbrel House is changing. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. Owein has signed a marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora, a heavyweight of British nobility who’s an ocean away. And the lovely shape-shifting druid Fallon makes a distractingly fetching friend for Owein. But another change is in the air, and this time it’s something wicked.

The greatest wizard of the millennium, Silas Hogwood, is back—after five years dead. New body, same foul scent, and driven by madness and revenge. Owein, fearing he isn’t strong enough to fend off Silas, seeks Cora’s help and influence in England. Alarms ringing, Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer, to aid in Owein’s defense.

As magic, both good and evil, converges on Blaugdone Island, Owein realizes how harrowing the forces against them are. Combating them will require some digging—literally—for half-formed secrets of magic Hulda doesn’t want him to have. But no promise, lock, or government red tape will keep Owein from doing what’s necessary to protect those he loves. One way or another, Silas will only take Whimbrel House over Owein’s third dead body.

Wizard of Most Wicked Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg is the 4th book in the Whimbrel House series. It was released March 4, 2025 from 47North.

My Thoughts: I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

It began slowly, but that gave time for showing character growth, especially in Owein. I did find it a little agonizing because I like the characters a lot and knew bad things were in store for them. In his previous appearances, Silas seemed to be motivated solely by greed. Now he still seems greedy, but also like he's losing his sanity. Once the action started, things moved along at a better pace. 

This should not be read as a standalone. There are references to earlier books that would be better understood if the previous volumes have been read. Plus, only then can you really appreciate the changes in the characters.

I did get a little teary near the end of the book. To me, that means it was well-written and the characters are mostly sympathetic. Also, I thought it was the last book in the series, but it appears there will be at least one more.

I would recommend this book to others who've read the series. And I would recommend the series to those who enjoy historical fantasy. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review.

Book Review: Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen

 

From the publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Another instant classic from Carl Hiaasen—laugh-out-loud funny, tackling the current chaotic and polarized American culture (following in the path of Squeeze Me), with two wonderful Hiaasen heroes

“The afternoon of September first, dishwater-gray and rainy, a man named Dale Figgo picked up a hitchhiker on Gus Grissom Boulevard in Tangelo Shores, Florida. The hitchhiker, who reminded Figgo of Danny DeVito, asked for a lift to the interstate. Figgo said he’d take him there after finishing an errand.”

Thus begins Fever Beach, with an errand that leads—in pure Hiaasen-style—into the depths of Florida at its most Floridian: a sun-soaked bastion of right-wing extremism, white power, greed, and corruption. Figgo, it turns out, is the only hate-monger ever to be kicked out of the Proud Boys for being too dumb and incompetent. On January 6, 2021 he thought he was defacing a statue of Ulysses S. Grant, but he wound up spreading feces all over a statue of James Zacharia George, a Civil War Confederate war leader.

Figgo's already messy life is about to get more complicated, thanks to two formidable adversaries. Viva Morales is a newly transplanted Floridian, a clever woman recently taken to the cleaners by her ex-husband, now working at the Mink Foundation, a supposedly philanthropic organization, and renting a room in Figgo’s apartment because there’s no place else she can afford. Twilly Spree has an anger management problem, especially when it comes to those who deface the environment, and way too many inherited millions of dollars. He's living alone a year after his dog died, two years after he sank a city councilman’s party barge, and three years after his divorce.

Viva and Twilly are plunged into a mystery—involving dark money and darker motives—they are determined to solve, and become entangled in a world populated by some of Hiaasen’s most outrageous characters: Claude and Electra Mink—billionaire philanthropists with way too much plastic surgery and a secret right-wing agenda—and Congressman Clure Boyette—who dreams of being Florida’s (and maybe America’s) most important politician. The only things standing in his way are his love for hookers and young girls, and his total lack of intelligence. We meet Noel Kristianson—a Scandinavian agnostic injured when Figgo thinks he’s a Jewish threat to humanity and runs him over with his car; Jonas Onus—Figgo’s partner in white power idiocy; and many, many more. Hiaasen ties them all together and delivers them to their appropriate fates, in his wildest and most entertaining novel to date.

My Thoughts: Like all of Hiaasen's books, Fever Beach is somewhat off the wall. Up to a point, you can picture things happening. Then, it goes one step beyond. It's funny and it's satire.

My favorite characters were Viva, Twilly, and Moe. Galaxy was interesting- more so when she went on sabbatical. Least favorite characters included Dale Figgo and Jonus Onus. But I don't think we are totally meant to dislike them most of the time. Maybe feel a little sorry for them at times. Another least favorite character is the congressman. If I tell you why I did and didn't like the characters, we'd be into spoilers territory. Suffice it to say that the good guys follow Mae West's quote: "When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad I'm better." The not so good guys had fewer good moments and more just plain stupid ones.

The book moves along at a good pace. It's not all action, but it does all propel the book forward. I did not see everything that happened coming, but that's part of the fun with a Hiaasen book. 

I gave the book 5 out of 5 stars. It's well-written. The characters and events are interesting. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy satire and humor with one foot in the political world and the other foot straining to be out of this world. And if you like Hiaasen, don't miss this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review. 

Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen was released May 13, 2025 from Knopf.

Book Review: Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

 

From the publisher:

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, but Jane isn’t sure they’re going to make it to twenty. The mother of two feels unneeded by her teenagers, and her writing career has screeched to an unsuccessful halt. Her one published novel sold under five hundred copies. Worse? She’s pretty sure Dan is cheating on her. When the couple goes to the renowned upscale restaurant La Fin du Monde to celebrate their anniversary, Jane thinks it’s as good a place as any to tell Dan she wants a divorce.

But before they even get to the second course, an underground climate activist group bursts into the dining room. Jane is shocked—and not just because she’s in a hostage situation the likes of which she’s only seen in the movies. Nearly everything the disorganized and bumbling activists say and do is right out of the pages of her failed book. Even Dan (who Jane wasn’t sure even read her book) admits it’s eerily familiar.

Which means Dan and Jane are the only ones who know what’s going to happen next. And they’re the only ones who can stop it. This wasn’t what Jane was thinking of when she said “’til death do us part” all those years ago, but if they can survive this, maybe they can survive anything—even marriage.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley was released March 11, 2025 from Berkley.

My thoughts: I really liked the book.

The characters of Jane and Dan are an interesting portrayal of a midlife marriage and some of the thoughts that can cross someone's mind at that point. I like that they were still capable of creating plot twists in both their marriage and in the situation they find themselves in.

The premise was different. I like books that are about bookish things. That in itself was good, but adding the tension of the situation made it better. It definitely kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

The pacing of the book was well done. There are some brief, but necessary, lulls. These allow us to see what the characters decide to do and more of how they are feeling and thinking. As the book progresses, the pace picks up until it is really rapid at the end. This helps to give the events a sense of urgency.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I liked Jane and Dan and thought their characterization was well done. They paint a good picture of what marriage at midlife can be like against the chaotic backdrop of the events in the restaurant. And it had the humor I crave in the books I read. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy plots with action and humor. 

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review.

Book Review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

 

From the publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal world: How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Emily Wlde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett was released February 11th, 2025 from Del Rey.

My Thoughts: In this third book in the series, the story is told from Emily's point of view. We see her worries and her joys as she and Wendell claim his throne in Faerie. This is the perfect point of view for the book considering it is pretty much Emily and her adventures for a good portion of the book. Nothing wrong with that. 

Former Queen Arna has put a curse on the land. It's harming groves of trees and killing both plants and Folk that happen to be within the area it strikes. Together Wendell and Emily must find a cure for the blight and a suitable punishment for the former Queen.

Wendell's assuming the throne and having to deal with such problems allows us to see how far he's grown since meeting Emily. And Emily consults her books to find the best path forward that will yield the best results.

There is some travelling around the kingdom with Emily and Wendell. Once the problem escalates though, it's mostly Emily and ever-faithful Shadow on the road together. I think she shows great bravery and strength of character.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow in places, but it didn't stop me from wanting to know what was going to happen next. I would recommend reading the books in the series in order to get the most out of this one. There are previous characters who have parts in this book. And there are some references to previous adventures. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a good fantasy based on the Folk. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review. All opinions therein are my own.

Book Review: At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce

 

From the publisher:

A murderess becomes the guardian of two very unusual girls in this mesmerizing gothic novel from acclaimed author Camilla Bruce.

Clara Woods is a killer—and perfectly fine with it, too. So what if she takes a couple of lives to make her own a little bit better? At the bottom of her garden is a flower bed, long overgrown, where her late husband rests in peace—or so she’s always thought.

Then the girls arrive.

Lily and Violet are her nieces, recently orphaned after their affluent parents died on an ill-fated anniversary trip. In accordance with their parents’ will, the sisters are to go to their closest relative—who happens to be Clara. Despite having no interest in children, Clara agrees to take them, hoping to get her hands on some of the girls’ assets—not only to bolster her dwindling fortune but also to establish what she hopes will be her legacy: a line of diamond jewelry.

There’s only one problem. Violet can see the dead man at the bottom of the garden. She can see all of Clara’s ghosts . . . and call them back into existence. Soon Clara is plagued by her victims and at war with the gifted girls in her care. Lily and Violet have become a liability—and they know far more than they should.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the book. I felt like there was a lot to like about the story. It's definitely a gothic tale from the moment that Aunt Clara appears. We don't see who is haunting Clara though until the girls appear on the scene. And not too long after that, it's a question of if the ghosts are only going to haunt Clara or if they will go after the girls and the housekeeper as well.

The setting of the spooky house is classic gothic. The patchy front steps, the smallish rooms that the girls inhabit, the taxidermied animals at every turn all work together to make it a gothic setting.

The chapters are told from the differing perspectives of Clara, Violet (the youngest), and Lily (Violet's slightly older sister.) Early on, some of the scariest material comes from Violet's perspective since she is the only one who can see the dead at that point. It's not that long afterwards that they can all see the ghosts who seem to take a particular delight in haunting Clara.

Clara is a horrifying human being. A murderess who has come into guardianship of her nieces with hopes to get her mitts on their money. The longer the book goes on, the more horrifying she becomes. If this were fairy tale, she would easily be the wicked witch or the evil stepmother.

Generally speaking, this is an enjoyable, horrifying, gothic story. I was surprised that Violet had little fear of the ghosts after their conversion. And there is a little bit of a lull mid book when Aunt Clara takes the girls on a road trip. The lull doesn't last long though. And sets in motion the last part of the book.

Overall I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I really liked this gothic tale. If you enjoy gothic literature, this would be a good book for you. This is the first book I've read by Camilla Bruce, but it won't be my last.

At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce was released Tuesday January 28th, 2025 from Del Rey.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: The Busybodies Collection

 

From the publisher: 

Every nosy neighbor, gossipy friend, and meddling relative is just one good mystery away from becoming a detective. From behind locked doors or out in broad daylight, driven by chance or curiosity, amateur sleuths get in over their heads in these six hair-raising, hilarious stories.

The Busybodies Collection became available October 15, 2024 from Amazon Original Stories.

There are 6 stories in the collection by various authors: Staged by Elle Cosimano, The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Crime of Fashion by Emma Rosenblum, The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose, One Lucky Subscriber by Kellye Garrett, and A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson. Each mystery features a character that could be seen in some light as a busybody. 

All of the stories in the collection were good. I did have my favorites though. In particular I enjoyed the stories by Elle Cosimano, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Nita Prose. To be fair, Elle Cosimano and Jesse Q. Sutanto were already among my favorite authors. But, this was the first time I'd read stories by the other authors. 

What I liked about all of the stories was that they were good mysteries with twists and some humor. Regarding the humor, there was more in some than others. When considering the twists, two stories stood out the most for me. They were the stories by Jesse Q. Sutanto and the one by Nita Prose. 

I gave this collection 5 out of 5 stars. I liked all of the stories in the collection, which is unusual. Usually it's hit or miss. I would recommend this collection to people who enjoy well-written short mysteries with twists and humor.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not influence my review.

Book Review: The Wind on Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz

 

From the publisher:

In this lyrical and stirring companion to the “spellbinding” (Harper’s Bazaar) Shallow Waters, Oya—the Yoruban deity of the weather—is brought to life during 1870s America. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Sun.

Born in Cuba after her mother Yemaya’s adventures in the New World, Oya has inherited otherworldly powers from her Yoruba Orisha lineage. While Yemaya is known for her healing abilities, Oya’s influence over the storm proves to be destructive, posing a threat to her mother and the island’s safety.

Sent to New Orleans to study under Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo, Oya begins a journey across the still young America, encountering a myriad of historical figures, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, Jesse James, Lew Hing, and more.

As Oya navigates the landscapes of racism, colorism, and classism, she grapples with her own identity and powers, striving to find her place in a fraught and complex society. A moving, vivid exploration of resilience, heritage, and the enduring spirit of a young woman coming into her own, The Wind on Her Tongue transports you to a world where magic and reality intertwine.

The Wind on Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz was published January 21, 2025 by Atria/Black Privilege Publishing.

My Thoughts:

It's an interesting story. Oya needs to learn how to control her great gift. Marie Laveau guides her with help from a set of twins. And then she is drawn to make a cross country journey.

I liked the book, but I liked the first part where Oya was in New Orleans better than the latter part of the book. It seemed richer in description. Later on, it felt more superficial to me. The story in San Francisco didn't seem as well described as the part in New Orleans until close to the end.

Otherwise, it was interesting to see how Oya learned to control her gift and what she could do with it once it was under control. Told from Oya's point of view, the voice was like a whisper in your ear for much of the book. It was as if she was telling you the story over a cup of tea. And it was interesting to get some of the bits about her mother. I didn't read the first book, but this seems to work as a standalone and also as a continuation. And, I felt the ending was a little abrupt. It came at a logical point in the story, but just seemed to come quickly. I suppose it paves the way for either more about her in another book or sets up the next book to be about the next generation.

I gave this book 4 stars. I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy magical realism stories. And I would also recommend it to people who like their magic to occur in historical settings. 

Have you read it? What did you think? Drop a line in the comments and share your thoughts with us.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not influence my review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Book Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

 

From the publisher:

There’s power in a book…

They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, to give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened.

Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. Under the watchful eye of the stern Miss Wellwood, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. There’s Rose, a hippie who insists she’s going to find a way to keep her baby and escape to a commune. And Zinnia, a budding musician who plans to marry her baby’s father. And Holly, a wisp of a girl, barely fourteen, mute and pregnant by no-one-knows-who.

Everything the girls eat, every moment of their waking day, and everything they’re allowed to talk about is strictly controlled by adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid...and it’s usually paid in blood.

In Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, the author of How to Sell a Haunted House and The Final Girl Support Group delivers another searing, completely original novel and further cements his status as a “horror master” (NPR).

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix was published January 21, 2025 by Berkley.

My Thoughts: I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. After reading a few reviews prior to reading the book, I wasn't at all sure that I was going to like this book, but I did. I liked the girls and felt for them. They were united by the way that their families had treated them when they found out they were pregnant. Also living at the home united them. They all had the same experiences and the same close supervision.

The magic system was different. Magic always has a price in order for it to succeed. What the price in this case was, is interesting. I hadn't seen this cost quite this way before. And there were some clever bits related to this. In particular, the girls use the magic against some adults. This held consequences both for the adults and the girls, but afterwards, it was like the adults forgot about what happened.

The book had a slow beginning. This was mostly because of what was needed to set the scene. Still, I would have liked the magic to start sooner. After that. things move faster. And there are twists and surprises. I liked that it was not totally predictable nor was it preachy. I would have preferred a tad more humor as in his other books, But considering everything - the weightiness of the topic, the timeliness, it makes total sense. I also was not a fan of the graphic birthing scenes. 

I would recommend this book to people who have enjoyed Hendrix's other books. And I would also recommend this book for people who enjoy magical realism in a historical setting. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review.

Book Review: Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo

 

From the publisher:

A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this “wild, wondrous novel about the magic that is singing all around us” (Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth)—in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.

If you call to the witches, they will come.

1943, El Paso, Texas: teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters and longing for a life of adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.

In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.

Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo was published October 8, 2024 by Atria/Primero Sueno Press.

My Thoughts: I gave this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. It's a good story with multiple time lines that is both a strength and a weakness at times. If the chapters had had headers with the year, it would have been a little easier to follow. But, this was not necessary to enjoy the book.

There are 3 eras that are visited in this book. I made the mistake of reading this on two devices. With the change in timelines, it felt a little confusing and like I was reading two different books. I think the multiple timelines was necessary for the story and in general worked well otherwise.

The way the magic system worked was intriguing. The importance of song to the magic was interesting. Some members of the coven were stronger in magic than the others. The nuns seemed to need Nena because of this. Later on, Nena needs Marta in the same way. They both find that magic has a price and it is not always what you expect to pay.

If you've read The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina and enjoyed it, that is a good indicator that you will also enjoy this book. Also, if you like historical fiction and magical realism you will most likely enjoy this book. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review and opinions.

Book Review: Candle and Crow by Kevin Hearne

 

From the publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes the final book in the “action-packed, enchantingly fun” (Booklist) Ink & Sigil series, as an ink-slinging wizard pursues the answer to a very personal mystery: Who cast a pair of curses on his head?

Al MacBharrais has a most unusual job: He’s a practitioner of ink-and-sigil magic, tasked with keeping order among the gods and monsters that dwell hidden in the human world. But there’s one supernatural mystery he’s never been able to solve: Years ago, someone cast twin curses on him that killed off his apprentices and drove away loved ones who heard him speak, leaving him bereft and isolated. 

But he’s not quite alone: As Al works to solve this mystery, his friends draw him into their own eccentric dramas. Buck Foi the hobgoblin has been pondering his own legacy—and has a plan for a daring shenanigan that will make him the most celebrated hobgoblin of all. Nadia, goth queen and battle seer, is creating her own cult around a god who loves whisky and cheese. 

And the Morrigan, a former Irish death goddess, has decided she wants not only to live as an ordinary woman but also to face the most perilous challenge of the mortal world: online dating. 

Meanwhile, Al crosses paths with old friends and new—including some beloved Druids and their very good dogs—in his globe-trotting quest to solve the mystery of his curses. But he’s pulled in so many different directions by his colleagues, a suspicious detective, and the whims of destructive gods that Al begins to wonder: Will he ever find time to write his own happy ending?

My thoughts: This was a good wrap up for the trilogy. Story threads for Al, Buck Foi, Nadia, the Morrigan, and Gladys-who-has-seen-some-shite are drawn to conclusions. I felt that the endings were open-ended enough that if the author decides to revisit any of the characters, say for a short story, he will have plenty to write about.

I gave this book 5 stars. It's well-written. It's a good conclusion for the trilogy. Things happen at a good pace. My only note is that I felt there wasn't enough foreshadowing about who is responsible for the curses on Al. If you enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy, this is a must read. If you enjoyed the Iron Druid books, you will most likely enjoy this trilogy as well. And the trilogy would make a good Christmas present for your fan of urban fantasy.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This did not affect my review. 

Book Review: Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

 

From the publisher:

Benjamin Stevenson returns with a Christmas addition to his bestselling, “deviously good fun” (Nita Prose), Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Unwrap all the Christmas staples: presents, family, an impossible murder or two, and a deadly advent calendar of clues. If Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club kissed under the mistletoe.

My name’s Ernest Cunningham. I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age murder mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career getting stuck in the middle of real-life ones. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any self-respecting murderer would kick their feet up and take it easy over the holidays. I was wrong.

So here I am, backstage at the show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. My suspects are all professional tricksters: masters of the art of misdirection.

THE MAGICIAN, THE ASSISTANT, THE EXECUTIVE, THE HYPNOTIST, THE IDENTICAL TWIN, THE COUNSELLOR,  THE TECH. 

My clues are even more abstract: A suspect covered in blood, without a memory of how it got there. A murder committed without setting foot inside the room where it happens. And an advent calendar. Because, you know, it’s Christmas.

If I can see through the illusions, I know I can solve it.

After all, a good murder is just like a magic trick, isn’t it?

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret was released October 22, 2024 from Mariner Books.

My thoughts: Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson is the third book in the Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Slightly shorter than the first two, it makes a wonderful addition to the series.

This time around it's Ernest's ex-wife calling from jail that sets everything in motion. At this point there has been one murder. Before the end of the book there will be two for the price of one.

Ern continues to divulge information in such a way that he maintains that the reader has all the information necessary to solve the crime. It's fun when he breaks the fourth wall to remind us of this and sometimes also of clues. I also liked how the author uses the Advent Calendar and Secret Santa motifs to further the plot.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The mysteries are good and well-written. Using the Advent Calendar to organize the book is interesting and different. I agree with Ernest that this would make a good holiday read. If you've enjoyed the other books in the series, or just enjoy holiday themed mysteries, this could be a good book for you.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: Nightmare of a Trip by Maureen Kilmer

 

From the publisher:

This is one family getaway they’ll never forget . . .

Leigh Somerset wants to spend some quality time with her kids before they grow up, and her husband has always fancied himself sort of a Clark Griswold figure. So the Somersets will be spending their family vacation on the road, driving from suburban Milwaukee to Orlando, Florida. Already off to a rocky start, they stumble upon an abandoned, half-burned down farmhouse in Indiana, and the Somersets inadvertently unleash an eerie history that will follow them the rest of their trip.

From creepy indoor waterparks to paranormally plagued Cracker Barrels, it’s one thing after another in the pursuit of the great American summer road trip. Will the Somersets be able to shake these bad vibes and get on with the family bonding? Or will the road less traveled quite literally become the highway to hell?

Nightmare of a Trip by Maureen Kilmer was released September 10, 2024 from G.P. Putnam"s Sons.

My Thoughts: Any long trip with your family can be a nightmare in and of itself. Then you have the added fun of being haunted by a family. If one doesn't drive you crazy, the other might. I enjoyed the book overall. There were National Lampoon's Vacation references, humor, and creepiness.I like my horror with humor, so this was a good fit for me.

"Every time you are able to find humor in a difficult situation, you win." For the bulk of the book, Leigh, Nick and the kids are able to find the humor when things go wrong. It gets harder and harder as the trip goes on. I felt that telling the story from Leigh's point of view was the best choice. As a parent, I could relate to how a threat to the family would freak her out. My minor complaint is that her husband believes everything she tells him the first time. I really expected some denial there.

The humor and the horror are both low key for the most part. It seems like everything that can go wrong will. It's one of those things where if it happened to you, you would find it funny eventually, but maybe not so much at the time. Still there were a lot of good humorous moments for us as readers. I thought that there would be a little more escalation of the horror as the story progressed. It was still good and creepy though.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a good story. It's well written. It kept my attention. And most importantly, there was humor to go with the horror. If you enjoyed her other books, you will enjoy this one as well. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.