Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Murder at Raven´s Edge and Murder at Ravenswood House by Louise Marley

One of my biggest issue with having so much to read and blog about it is that I can rarely follow books in series. I can start falling for some characters or settings and would burn to see if the continuation will be as good as it promises, but with such a limited amount of time on my sleeves and so many books to review, it may take a long long time, if ever, until I will be back.

Thus, my highest pleasure of being able to read not only one, but two books in a series: Murder at Raven´s Edge and Murder at Ravenswood House by Louise Marley. 

Set in a quaint village - Raven´s Edge, a name that promise a lot of mystery -, the novels do have a touch of mystery and old folktales. An impressive team of detectives - professionals and hobby ones - are involved in solving out of the ordinary crimes, which involve mysterious rituals and dark characters. And, in  addition to the crime story, there is also place left for a bit of romance, which make the story even more exciting, as it was not suspenseful enough.

The novels are atmospheric and sometimes the ambiance is Gothic-dark, but do also focus on character development, which make the series unique in both of approach and cast of characters. Knowing that I have not only one, but two books set in the same environment and most likely featuring a similar distribution, I was able to focus on details and behaviors that helped me to better understand the next episode of the saga.

In full honesty, I hope there will be more books in the series, as I already feel at home in the ambiance of the book. A recommended read for anyone looking for some serious crime riddles for the coming weekend or summer vacation.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Books offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Her Husband´s Lie by Amanda Reynolds

One happy couple, Nicole and Matthew. Middle class, in love, trusting each other. They have a beautiful house, a safe and predictable everyday life and a healthy and charming daughter. The perfect family picture for everyone to envy and emulate. And then suddenly, in just one week, Nicole´s world is getting upside down. Matthew disappears lefting Nicole with a huge riddle to solve: who is actually her husband to whom she gave her heart and full trust?

As in the case of previous books by Amanda Reynolds I had the chance to read and review, Her Husband´s Lie is advancing slowly but firmly towards a revelation towards the end of the book, and I really appreciated the ways in which the suspense is created through the pieces of smoking mirrors that are obliterating the truth. 

In Her Husband´s Lie though, there is an unique game of emotions that are built through the story, which involves the reader into the story in a very direct and brutal way. You may encounter a lot of untrustworthy characters, hard to like, but they are actually the salt and pepper of the book. How else can you write a great thriller with good, likeable characters, after all. 

For lovers of psychological thrillers, this is a very inspired choice for anyone looking to an eventful read, with many psychological turns and densely emotional as well. Once starting the book is very hard to put it down, as you are getting more and more curious to discover how far some characters went. Actually, very far.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

The Falconer by Dana Czapnik

I am rarely impressed by coming of age novels. The main reason is that most characters, particularly young girls are completely unrelatable for me. In addition, there is a certain tendency towards stereotypying the characters who sooner or later will all sound the same: rebelious, playing with sex, some recreational drugs etc.

I´ve heard many things about The Falconer - inspired by the homonymouos statue in Central Park and interpreted by one of the protagonists as a symbol of freedom and nonchalance of young age -, the debut novel by Dana Czapnik and therefore included it on my TBR, but wasn´t sure what to expect. Maybe some easygoing coming of age story, with just another rebelious girl folllowing the same ingredients of the same old recipe...But it´s far from it.

Jewish-Italian Lucy Adler is a young girl, not too rebelious, playing basketball and asking questions. Her questions and questioning though, reflect a process of acknowledging the reality. Adulthood is few steps away, but until she will reach this point, she adds the information bridging one age to another. Like when she is trying to understand her parents, how, for instance, her father abandoned his writing career - he published a book once - for a more lucrative profession of lawyer. 

Lucy, the main storyteller, is like sitting in the center of the world, reflecting herself through the mirror fragments of other people´s realities, be it adults or other fellow youngsters. This is how I used to see myself as a late teenager as well. Many bonus points for the basketball playing, few of the sports I loved to play - in comparison with tennis, which I find utterly noninteresting. 

The historical ambiance of the novel - end of the 1990s - it´s an unique choice, and it really sound like, with the middle class social shifts during the Clinton years and the typical youth realm during those times. 

The Falconer is a story of an inquiring young girl trying to intellectually map the world. I just hope Czapnik will release soon another novel, as this debut novel announces a mature voice that may keep telling stories.

Rating: 5 stars

Canción by Eduardo Halfon

 

Although my Spanish used to be more than decent - read it B1 to B2 in terms of officially certified languages - for years already, I didn´t dare to read literature in this language as I was definitely lacking that local, native touch of the language. As improving some of my languages and perfecting others was one of my objectives for this year - and we are almost half through it - I tried my best to keep track of my promises. With once the week full immersion into Spanish language - thanks to my lovely friend M., my knowledge of native nuances and subtleties improved considerably, hence my audacity of reading this month not only one, but three books in Spanish - covering various geographical areas of the language.

My first ever book read in original Spanish to be reviewed on the blog is a book I wanted to read for a long time: Canción by Guatemalan author Eduardo Halfon. The book was recently longlisted for Dublin Literary Award - but haven´t made it to the shortlist. 

A short partly auto-fictional work, the book exposes the multi-layered identity and the treachery of memory. An author from Guatemala is invited in Japan to take part to a colloquia of Lebanese writers. His Lebanese part of identity is shared through his grandfather who was actually born at a time when Lebanon and Syria was one, as a Jew. The same grandfather who, as Halfon´s grandfather as well in 1967, was abducted by a faction involed in the Guatemalan civil war. One of his captors was called Canción.

As in my previous Spanish-written book I´ve reviewed a couple of days ago - read in translation thou - I am very much interested in auto-fiction set in the modern world, where personal destinies are notwithstanding with global or regional events. We cannot escape history and historical events do leave a trace even on the most recluse individual destinies. It leaves so much freedom of choice for the writer as you can combine individual destinies with way too many political events in infinite ways, but we may also realize that at the personal, real-life level, it really leaves us with a high-range of inter-personal stories.

Canción will for sure remain in my literary history as my first ever novel in Spanish read fully in the original, but my excitement for this personal achievement put aside, it´s a really intriguing book and I am looking forward to read more by Halfon, in Spanish as well.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: The Takedown by Evie Hunter

´Well, we´re both here with a common aim. It would make sense for us to work together´.

Once I am falling for an author - in terms of topics, writing, characters development, you name it - the reason I am interested in following their writing is because I am looking to see how a writing pattern is maintained, although the content is adapted to the requirements of the topic. Evie Hunter, for instance, is one of the authors I cannot refuse to feature on my blog, as at least until now, they never disappointed.

In The Takedown, her latest, I was pleased to meet the same cast of bold main female character - Freya makes it into a very relatable character - caught in a net of deceiving weak and cruel manmade world. Feeling guilty for not saving her sister in due time, as she was falling slowly for her drug addiction, fuelled by the meeting with Falcon, a cruel oportunistic entrepreneur with way too many shades of black in his biography.

I was interested in Freya. but Falcon was a more complex presence. Particularly his family background - the troubles with his children particularly - makes you curious to understand his personality and eventually to find an explanation of his behavior and attitude. He is a bad character, with evil tendencies and an attitude that would only help him gain mortal enemies. Evil people may always run alone in the end.

Although the intentions of the characters are clear from the beginning of the book, it does not make it less suspenseful, as how exactly the revenge if ever, will take place guides the reader´s interest alongside the unfolding episodes of the book. Especially before the end of the story, everything went confusing and most assumptions about who´s who may got jeopardized.

The Takedown is a great weekend or vacation book, for readers interested in psychological suspense and, why not, playing the devil´s advocate in understanding some evil characters.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: Wild Treasures. A Year of Extraordinary Encounters with Cornwall´s Wildlife by Hannah Stitfall

One of my biggest regrets of the last four years of almost no travel, is that I haven´t continued my exploration of the English countryside. Its wildlife and pristine nature is like no other landscapes I ever encountered during my wanderings and wonderings around the Globe.

But it´s never too late and with summer just around the corner I am just looking for the right inspiration before being able to plan something. Thus, my delightful encounter with Hannah Stitfall account of ´A Year of Extraordinary Encunters with Cornwall´s Wildlife´. 

Hannah Stitfall is a different type of journalist. In a world when speed and accumulation of any kind - of audience, followers, experiences - she is slowly taking her time to capture intimate moments of nature life - a hedgehog, a plant, a moving landscape. Hours on end for a perfect understanding of an animal behavior or a change slowly taking place within the nature is never enough. What it matters is to capture the moment and understand its implications. 

Her writing reflects her love for nature, her passion for observing the nature. It´s part of her priviledge of living in this corner of paradise to track her observations and discoveries, and her dedication is a love letter to this tremendous advantage of living so close to nature. I loved how she carefully plans her expeditions, aimed at lead her to new discoveries. She is breathing the rhythm of nature, therefore she is able to go beyond the usual passionate take on nature. Although a writer, she behaves first as a scientist ready to first discover the phenomenon and only afterwards, when she has all the proper details, to share her observations with the rest of the world.

Wild Treasures is a gem of a book, an inspiration both in terms of nature writing and of dedication to nature. I would really love to read more such books that may help us understand that there are always better and respectful ways to (re)connect with nature.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener translated from Spanish by Julia Sanchez

 Dedicated to my dear friend Giuliana: We should have talk about this book instead...

´I realize I´m trying to build something out of pieces lifted from an unfinished story´.

I am incredibly late going through the Booker Prize Longlist - meanwhile, the shortlist was already announced few weeks back. But with no publishing pressure in sight - I am independently writing this blog, not on any commission therefore free to review what and when I want - I rather prefer to take my time and eventually explore an author nominated for more than one book - the case of Rodrigo Blanco Calderón, an author I am currently reading in the original Venezuelan-Spanish version and very much enjoying it. Kairos was definitely not my cup of tea at all, maybe because I am different audience than the one envisioned for the English-version of the book.

As I am spending a lot of time this year exploring Spanish-speaking literature and countries, Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener, translated from Spanish by Julia Sanchez. Wiener, a Peruvian journalist and author, lives currently in Madrid. 

My favorite part of this book is the way in which the world itself reflects into her personal story - in the way similar to Annie Ernaux, which fascinates me. A relative of a famous anthropologist whose writings perpetrated the ´white man´ scientific civilizational views, Wiener is exploring her trauma and personal history of desire, her life choices and relationships. There is a historical constraint in it and with the same openness and curiosity of an anthropologist she is deconstructing first her own identity shreds proceeding next to the rather society, global level.

Undiscovered has shortly over 100 pages, but it is that amount of knowledge that may completely challenge your ready-made ideas about society, civilization, Spanish culture and also love and sex.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources: My Second Life by Simon Yeats

 

Already present on my blog with a collection of out-of-ordinary travel stories, Simon Yeats is back with a lengthy memoir of resilience. The joy of reading memoirs, at least for me, consists in the chance of getting to know individual destinies and various ways in which life prepares us to cope with unexpected episodes. This is very much available in the case of Yeats whose life - or rather said, many lives - is bigger than life itself.

My Second Life. One Man´s Inspirational Story does have many travel details threfore travel lovers will find a lot of adventurous inspiration in this book as well. The descriptions are vivid and the adventures are his best companion. Cheating death more than once is not easy.

But there is a before and an after and we are repeatedly warned to keep in mind this distinction between the first and the second life. First, there is the preparation. Secondly, comes the test and him becoming freed of fear.

Shortly in the second half of the book, after many exciting travel-related encounters, we are introduced to Simon Yeats, the family man. He just married his Brazilian-born girlfriend and works hard more than one job for raising a family that soon will include a Miami-born son. Seven years of marriage later, he is faced with a dramatic reality: it was all a lie and no matter what he is trying to do, it seems he lost his son, who is now residing with his ex-wife in Rio.

It follows a complex legal imbroglio that reveals the sometimes hopeless. Instead of travel adventures, he is navigating the muddy pathways of Geneva Convention and is having informative sessions at the State Department alongside with other parents in similar situation. It is definitely not too much to learn from this, as in most cases the authorities seem to be hopeless in returning children back from far away lands to their parents. 

All those details of the legal proceedings at the Family Court in Rio may provide important information of what could happen when an international marriage or relationship involving children goes wrong. 

My Second Life is informative and personal, a complex life story that do leave you with a bitter taste. But maybe there will be a chance of a third life as well, after all.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Love, Julie by Jamie Anderson

Love has many meanings, but sometimes it may start with the self-love. Lonely and far from achieving her potential, Julie wants first and foremost to get herself back on track and puts aside her dreams of everlasting love. In her mid-40s, she feels like something is missing from her life, not necessarily a someone.

Until she is attending her best friend´s meeting and meets a handsome but hard to grasp single dad, Luke. Will he be able to break the ice of destiny and convince Julie that life can finally get only better?

Love, Julie by Jamie Anderson is a great book choice for a weekend of reflection. Through Julie´s story, particularly the struggle, one can maybe better understand what really matters in life and how no matter how much one may fight to get that future of his or her dreams, sometimes it is better to wait or just accept that the focus on present is much more important.

Julie is not a boring or stereotypical character. She is unique especially in the ways in which she is able to reflect on her plans and change accordingly. It´s a character one can relate to, and maybe meet in real life as well. Luke is also a complex presence, and both they are a good story match.

Love, Julie is a completely different kind of love story and I enjoy spending time with the characters. The story keeps the readers focused and may even tempt you to make assumptions about what may happen until the end.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Silver Wish Farm by KT Dady

21 years have passed since Heath was abandoned by Rhett in the day when they were supposed to be married. With a girl in the front of which they may need to behave for saving the responsible parents appearances. But now it´s the right time to find out why Rhett took the dramatic decision of abandoning Heath. 

Silver Wish Farm by prolific author KT Dady is concise but written in a way that may not disappoint the reader. I like how it started and followed curiously the story until the very end. I had some partial suggestions about the reasons and I was partially right, therefore, the reading journey was more than testing my own assumptions.

I really liked Rhett and her mysterious yet decisive ways to behave, no matter how tragic the price. I also appreciated that the story is taking place in a relatively small community, thus allowing the writer the chance to feature in detail at the same time ambiance, characters and plot.

For a relaxing summer afternoon, Silver Wish Farm is a read that will keep you moderately engaged while leading the reader through a story of love, betrayal and social pressure. I would love to read more from this reader as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Auris by Vincent Kliesch, based on an idea by Sebastian Fitzek

I am a big fan of Sebastian Fitzek and even went to see a play based on his novel last year, at the Berliner Kriminal Theater - worth seeing it, and even to come back for more at this niche theater in Berlin. Therefore, when I´ve first seen his name associated with Auris, a thriller novel, I didn´t hesitate and just get it. 

In fact, the novel is only based on an idea by Fitzek, as the main author is Vincent Kliesch. Kliesch, who is also a stand-up comedy actor, is a relatively new name for me, but I am always grateful to discover new German authors. I´ve had access to Auris in the original German language, in the audiobook format, read by some good local actors thus was worth the experience. 

This is just the first installment from a long series featuring forensic phonetician Matthias Hegel and true crime podcaster Jula Ansorge. I don´t remember ever to have heard about such a character as Hegel in my whole crime-thriller reading experience, therefore I was fascinated to find out more about such skills. Hegel is able to gather forensic details useful for a crime, by just listening to the voice of a person and his or her background noise environment details. 

In the first volume from Auris, Hegel is about to spend a lifelong prison term, following the assumed guilt of having killed a homeless woman. However, Ansorge, specialized in finding unique crime details that may reverse court decisions, is decided to prove him innocent, no matter the price, and although Hegel himself seems to be reluctant to such a change of fate. Ansorge, as Hegel, are characters with a complex history, and those details are smartly inserted into the main story.

The audio format is on point, with so many audio details that are increasing the tension in life threatening situations. Maybe if I would have just read the book, my impression would have been one star less, but overall, it is a thriller that delivers what one may expect from such a genre: tension, many many surprising twists and deep delving into human darkness. I am definitely interested in reading or listening more of this series soon. 

Rating: 4 stars

After the Party by Cressida Connolly

I am very reluctant to too much historical fiction reading, but I also know that fictionalized historical moments may open up towards less known historical episodes. The fate of Nazi sympathizers in Britain during WWII, mostly associated with Oswald Mosley and their interment in the Isle of Man - where they may have neighbour Jewish refugees from Germany, labelled ´enemies´ only based on their German passport - is a topic I am curious to explore more about. 

After the Party by Cressida Connolly is exploring exactly this topic, an unique take I was curious to find out more about.

Told in an alternance between first and third person account - the third person covers the past, end 1930s, beginning of 1940s while the first is aimed to relate, diary-like, the current feelings of the main character - the book is exploring the feelings and memories of Phyllis, a middle-class housewife who went involved with the movement around ´The Leader´ aka Mosley. It is a story of multiple family betrayal but also of awakening in a changing world while being unable to grasp the new realities and react accordingly.

The book has a relatively short length - 260-page long - but it was really hard for me to go through it (bless the long train rides across Germany with not too much to do on my sleeves for the achievement). The story enfolds as a chronicle, with daily details from her life and the other characters - parties, her sisters - as there is no tomorrow and everyone has the time in the world to read it. There are details accumulating but no scoop and the characters are not getting more reflection or self-reflection depth either. The switch between different timelines do not bring any additional literary encounters. The language however is exquisite as it both reflects the historical timeline and adds a noble touch to the narrative.

I succeeded to read the book until the end, but there were no change in terms of both my opinion about the book and the plot. I may have some questions regarding the Nazi sympathizers in England during WWII - like how high was the percentage of women involved in the movement and eventually some sociological background in this respect - but After the Party was definitely not a great literary fit for me.

Rating: 2.5 stars