In the Blink of An Eye - Jo Callaghan

There have been so many series and books have about how technology is raiding our lives either through surveillance (BBC series - Capture), medical advancements  or even our social interactions on digital platforms.  

Jo Callagan's In the blink of An Eye takes on the challenge of exploring the concept of technology - in the form of an AI Hologram - taking on the role of an assistant police detective to solve a cold case.

Blurb:

When DCS Kate is asked to head a pilot exploring the use of AI in policing, she responds with extreme resistance. How can technology compare with years of experience and gut instinct? However, unable to resist a challenge she takes it on. But things take an sinister turn when the cold cases they have been working on suddenly become active and danger seems to be much closer than ever.

Between human instinct versus calculation, logic versus experience, who will get there first?

My review:

• In this debut, Callaghan introduces DCS Kate, an officer with years of experience who finds herself saddled with a hologram to solve a cold case. The persona of DCS Kat is well etched,  her battles - on professional and personal fronts - hits a chord with the reader.

• I enjoyed the office humour, the work tensions and how the adhoc team finds a way to settle into their roles. Callaghan captures the difficulties of handling a team, the tensions between colleagues with humour and sharp observation.        

• I enjoyed the tussle between Lock and Kat and how they played to their strengths. Callaghan does a great job of balancing out both viewpoints while keep the plot moving - brilliantly juggled.

• Once I took to DCS Kate and her team and settled into the narrative, I was really enjoying the ride, so much that I was beginning to feel smug thinking that I could see what the story was moving towards. But then the finale, oh gosh the blink of an eye, that really got me. That was my wow moment!

An intelligent thriller that handles a very topical theme within the trappings of a good old thriller - the kind that keep us turning pages. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for an advance copy.

In the blink of an eye is published by Simon and Schuster and is out now.

 

   

The Curfew - T M Logan

 

T.M.Logan's latest is a great read. Especially since I was looking for a racy, engaging thriller and knew I was in good hands when I picked it up. What I love about his books is the compelling narrative with a set of characters to care about. And I was totally taken in by Andy, the father of a boy who broke his curfew which is where the story begins. Gosh what a hook of a premise to delve into!

Gist:

Andy and Laura love their kids. Their son Connor has just completed his exams and is out with friends. The parents have been assured that he will be back by midnight. 

Except when he doesn't, it sets off a series of events that shake the families up completely.

Because five teenagers went into the woods and only four came back.

Telling the truth may not be a good thing at this point after all.

My review:

• I picked it up at a time when I wanted a comfort read. This read which paints a parent's worst nightmare brought me out of a reading slump.

• I love the characters and the relatable situations. I loved how Andy the calm and composed GP functions as a rattled father. His quest to get his son out of trouble, the Boyd family with their quirks and traits, the way old insecurities surface in the face of this difficult situation has been beautifully portrayed.

• The storytelling is amazing, very plot driven and even as the reader is trying to guess what or who had done what, the twists keep coming and surprising the reader.

• I had an inkling of what could have happened and yet was taken aback by the twists in the story. Wow, loved the way the story turns.

I finished this in two sittings, such is the compelling nature of the narrative.

Highly recommended if you are looking for a good contemporary thriller story that keeps you racing through the pages.

  

Ajay and the Mumbai Sun - Varsha Shah

Varsha Shah's debut has all elements of a crackling read. A page turning adventure about a boy and his friends work hard to tackle corruption and greed.

Gist:

Ajay has always lived on the railway platform. He doesn't know who his parents are but he knows what he wants to be a journalist. He is fascinated by the world of news and together with a group of friends brings out a printed edition. But then Ajay quickly discovers that in his quest of news, danger is lurking around the corner and he will need the help of his friends before it gets too dangerous.

My review:

• The setting of the railway platform is truly amazing. Mumbai trains are an intrinsic part of the city's identity and Shah does a good job of panning out the story in the initial pages.

• The story is beautifully laid out and the character of Ajay is etched out well. Love Shah paints a flawed character rather than picture perfect and allows the reader to accompany him on his learning curve. 

• The story moves very fast is very pacy, great for young readers.

A great read. Have already bought copies to gift!

Best of Friends - Kamila Shamsie

I love Shamsie's writing. She has a very understated way of building worlds and bringing readers into it. I enjoyed learning about the two teenagers from different social strata and their friendship with ample foreshadowing in the initial chapters, as the atmosphere builds up for the reader to know something is going to happen.

However, I struggled with the London part of th
e story. Found lots of elements jostling for space; as role of technology in society, gender roles, relationships, immigration, politics. Shamsie's skill comes to fore at balancing all these elements and yet sometimes I struggled to keep up. Maybe it's just me, but the pace felt forced and it slowed it down for me.

I did not see the story turning the way it did. I loved being surprised as a reader and it is at this point that the story really started working for me, for by then I was fully invested in the characters.

Shamsie's ability to manoeuvre language and her sharp observations make for a great reading experience. Besides, she tends to be quite topical, and her stories are a reflection of contemporary society, yet another big plus.

Overall a great reading experience. Recommended.

The Last House - R G Adams

This is RG Adams' second novel after The Allegation. I really enjoyed reading about this character who is raised by the same social care system that she eventually works for. This new novel is an engaging read about a family, that seems like a low profile case for the department until Kit decide to get involved.  

Gist:

When a call comes to Sandbeach Child services about a 17-year-old boy Dylan Meredith, Kit remembers how her brother who was let down by the same services 10 years ago. In a bid to investigate she finds herself in an area that takes her back to her childhood. 

Perhaps it is gut instinct or just her personal experience clouding judgement but Kit feels something is not  right. Her superiors do not support Kit especially with their team being scrutinised through a staff inspection. Will Kit give in to the pressure or go against her bosses and risk consequences?  

My Review:

• Adams' debut novel The Allegation introduces Kit, a social worker who goes out of her way to discover the truth. It was great to meet Kit again and learn some more about her turbulent life in this latest novel.   

• The character of Kit with her fallacies is perfectly placed to investigate the cases that come through to her team.

• The juxtaposition of Kit's personal life with her professional life layers the story well. At one point it feels that there are two narratives and Adams's skill ensure that the two disparate threads echo similar sentiments.

• The psychological theory behind Dylan and Rhian's behaviour is not an easy one to explain and there are times when the information tends to bog down the story. However, it picks up pace once Kit defies the system to follow her gut instinct to save the family.

• Adams deftly weaves in her work experience in the sector to deliver a story about a system as fascinating as the NHS and yet never gets the attention it deserves.  

Kit as the protaganist is truly an unusual character and with each book, I feel a bit more invested in her life and cases. I will certainly be looking forward to Adams' next one and I am sure you will too if you like engaging and enlightening reads. 

The Last House is published by Riverrun books and is out now. 

    

  

Black Cake - Charmaine Wilkerson

A fabulous book that is easily one of my best reads of this. A story that is haunting and unravels so beautifully while working at so many levels.

Gist:

It begins when Benny and Byron discover their dead mother has left them a voice recording to listen to a special Caribbean black cake in the freezer.

What happens then is unravelling of secrets and some truths of the past sixty years and over so many continents.

My review:

A magnificient story about family, relationships and how time plays a role in deciding what our truths are. 

Loved the characer of Byron, Benny and Eleanor and the way it takes the reader through islands, countries and continents sweeping through so many lives as they tell their story.

The narrative flows so smoothly that one can only admire Wilkerson's ability to create so many different worlds and stay true to them. The short chapters are packed with information and skill and the way the story is told is amazing.

One of my favourite chapters is How to become a college dropout, a chapter of a few lines but which encapsulates the character's life and motivations in a one single paragraph. Amazing.   

A fantastic read. If you are a reader, then this is a book you shouldn't miss out on.

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh - Sufiya Ahmed

 At primary school, I couldn't add to my daughter's knowledge of any British Asian women who she could look up to. Thanks  to Sufiya Ahmed, my daughter and I enjoyed reading the My Story series. 

British Indian Noor Inayat Khan's story was the first one we read and totally loved it! And therefore the excitement for this one too.

Gist:

Little Sophia is travelling to India with her siblings and father when they are asked to get off the Ship and she watches her father Maharaja Ranjit Singh arrested. This is how we are introduced to Sophia and learn about an interesting life that works as an inspiration for many girls.

Review:

The story is told in bits and pieces through many significant events of the princess's life. The style is simple and the narrative flows well to keep interest.

It is not a straightforward tale of struggle and identity but a more subtle one since the princesss leads a so called privileged life. Ahmed succeeds in showing how this princess's life had its own set of complications and yet she manages to rise above those restrictions and crave an identity for herself.

An enlightening, pacy read for adults, an endearing read for young minds.

Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy by Rey Tercerio

A modern retelling of a well loved childhood story. I picked this up for my daughter, but ended up reading it myself. These four girls were my companions growing up and so it was interesting to see how they would have fared in this centure. 

Gist:

Meg,
Jo, Beth and Amy are the four March sisters living with their mother while their father is way at war. All four of them have their own personas and it is fascinating as they get through life, making friendships along the way (with their neighbour Laurie) and as they grow older and discover their own way in life. 

My review:

• I loved how the story is so well modernised. Just like the original version, the story tracks the lives of these four sisters over a year. It marks their trials and tribulations and how they emerge stronger than ever.

• Perhaps because I had read the story before I could see where the changes had been made which made for a fascinating read. But then even those approaching this story for the first time will love it and will want to revisit the older version of it.

• I don't usually read comic novels but I enjoyed this one. The modern retelling along with the graphic novel presentation did enhance my reading experience.

• It was heartening to see how the old story has not been copied instead adapted to suit the modern age themes of mixed race marriages, gender issues and feminism. Also there is a twist to a major plot point which I don't want to spoil. It made me feel so happy to discover how the writer had used it to reflect contemporary society.

• This is a feel good book suitable for 12+ . I have already ordered copies to gift and I know it  will be loved as much as I did!
     

 

 

Still Lives - Reshma Ruia

What if the sought after dream fails to live up to its promise? What if the choices one makes have rippling consequences with the potential for disaster? Reshma Ruia explores these possibilities and so much more in Still Lives.  

 The Premise:

 As an ambitious young man, PK starts off well. He builds Malik Textiles from the scratch, earning headlines in the local newspaper as “new face of immigration in England – an employer bringing jobs to deprived areas…”

 But now at fifty five, the trend has changed. His business is struggling, his wife Geeta is homesick and their only son Amar is growing distant with each day.

 When PK meets Esther, he discovers solidarity, novelty and respite. The affair is not ideal and there are complications. However trouble starts when the thought of turning the fantasy into reality creeps in... 

 My review:

• The diasporic life is portrayed well in this novel and Ruia paints a fairly authentic picture of the concept of the “open door” policy, the position of close friends in many Asian families. 

•  And where there are immigrants, the concept of identity and class come into play too Ruia weaves these themes well in her character's lives. Geeta's disapproval of Amar's friend Alice or her preference for an English doctor, act as the vehicle to highlight these prejudices and preconceptions.

•  PK and Geeta are not characters that the reader will immediately take to. But they feel genuine. They may not get our love but they definitely win our empathy. Geeta's overprotectiveness and eating habits work as a foil to camouflage her homesickness. This character is representative of so many Indian wives who tie their fates to their husband’s  fortunes.  Esther on the other hand, is the wealthy socialite who seems quite the opposite to Geeta, and yet interestingly, shares a similar dependence regarding her social and financial status.

•  Ruia's USP is to create lifelike situations and make them glow with meaning and insight. Her characters are ordinary middle aged people who have dreamt and learnt to compromise with their lives. 

•  Ruia doesn’t sugarcoat and therefore the air of doom as the story progresses. However, as the pace picks up the reader feels invested in their lives and despite the element of predictability, Ruia manages to surprise her readers with some deft handling of plot.

 Read it for its portrayal of contemporary Asian society. But read it if you like well-etched flawed characters and wonder how they will fare in this story.

Still Lives is published by Renard Press and is out on June 29. 

You can get your copy here.

 

Watch Her Fall - Erin Kelly

 I picked this one up after enjoying Broadchurch - the book and the adaptation. Twitter was buzzing with good reviews about this one and Erin Kelly is a writer that I have always loved.

Plus since the story is set in the world of ballet I knew I was in a for a good read.

Blurb

I WATCHED HER RISE

Ava has devoted her life to being the best at what she does. Now she's at the top, she has the world at her feet.

I TRACKED HER EVERY MOVE

Except, the feeling of success isn't what Ava expected. She's lonely and paranoid - and terrified. Because someone is watching her. A rival who wants what she has and is prepared to kill to get it.

AND NOW I'LL WATCH HER FALL

 My review:

• I loved the setting of the ballet world. The hard work and the competition that goes into the making of a dancer is done well here.

• I also loved the character of Ava, the way the character pans out and also that of her father and mentor. I could relate to the characters and their motivations and was invested in how they dealt with situations.

• A pacy read, I was so glad I was on holiday when I picked it up. It had me racing through the  pages.

• The pacing is amazing till the twist but then after that, it becomes quite predictable. As it headed towards its conclusion, it felt a bit forced as if the story had lost its fuel and was just getting to the finish line.

Overall a very atmospheric novel about a world that has beautifully researched and presented. I would rate it high for that reason alone.

   

Portable Magic: A History of Books and their Readers - Emma Smith

This is an excellent read about books, their origin, influence and survival.

Chapters with catchy titles takes the reader through the journey of bound books through the ages. flexibility to dip in and out. My favourite is the one about Gutenberg where Smith explains how colonialism came into play when Europe started claiming a first regarding printing on mass scale.

Smith makes a case for physical books, examines the various aspects such as its evolution from a xmas gift to a must-have accessory (remember our bookcase obsessions during pandemic video meetings!) to an instrument of power, religion and democracy.

She also uses contemporary examples such as the climate movie Day After Tomorrow to illustrate her point, making it very accessible for the non academic reader.

Writer Val Mcdermid says on the cover, "If you love books, you'll love Portable Magic".

I second that!

 

Into the Sideways World - Ross Welford

This book is a delightful read for 11+ readers who enjoy science fiction and time travel.

Gist:

Gilly and Manny are friends who discover the pathway to another world, a perfect universe with no complications of their own world. Things seem odd but perfect here and soon Willa and Manny will have a make a tough decision. There is also war going on in their world and they must race against time to find a way back and to convince the elders of what they have seen before it gets too late.

My review:

• The characters of Willa and Manny are well etched. Welford has captured their voices well and I see children relating to them as they accompany them on their adventuers.

• Reading about World War Three felt topical considering Russain Ukraine war is dominating the news.

• I loved how the plot is injected with realism. Instead of delivering a straight forward story, the writer makes the reader think. The story also gets a bit technical in places, which may wear the patience of the young reader. However, if they persist, they will be rewarded. Welford shows how life is not all about tying up loose ends especially in the later half of the story, but often a complicated arrangement at times. I really liked that element in the story. 

A great read for readers who love science fiction and time travel. I received this book in return for an honest review.

Into the Sideways World is published by Harper Collins is available at all bookshops. 

  

A Killing in November - Simon Mason

Simon Mason is well known for his compelling books for children and young adults. I knew I would be in good hands when I received this copy about this police procedural, set in Oxford. Besides, when I learnt that it had already made it to the Sunday Times Crime book of the month, it definitely raised my expectations about the novel. I was so glad when it delivered and turned to be a highly enjoyable reading experience.

Gist:

A woman's body is found in the college head's house and the police are called in to investigate. There is no explanation about the identity of the woman or how she ended up there. DI Ryan Wilkins turns up first only to realise that he was mistaken as he shares the same last name DI R Wilkins called Ray. Oxford educated Ray has to work alongside a rule-breaking Ryan to piece together the identity of the woman before they move to zero in on the killer.

My review:

• What instantly struck me about the book is the sense of place. I love reading stories set in Oxford and Inspector Morse is a firm favourite. Yet this one is markedly different in terms of its approach and the way the detective duo is portrayed. Seeing as it has the potential to be a series, it offers a great starting point with loads of potential.

• Ryan and Ray are brilliantly plotted characters who add a whole new dimension to the story. Mason weaves their stories alongside case developments so seamlessly that it feels like we are reading two different threads at once. It makes for a very strong plot and a layered reading experience for the reader.

• Yet another thing that really worked for me was how it reflected the contemporary society by incorporating funding, refugee crisis in the plot. It felt topical and a sign of the times and that for me enhanced the reading experience.

• The writing is fast paced and full of action such that it feels like the reader is on a roller coaster as events quickly move towards the resolution. 

Finally a compelling read about a detective duo I am keen to know more about by a seasoned writer who crafts a cracking read. 

I am already hoping it is the start of a series and look forward to the next one.  Highly recommended

Disclaimer:  Thanks to the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

 

A Killing in November is published by Riverrun and is available to buy from your favourite bookshop.  

  

The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

What if we get a chance to revisit the regrets of our life? To go down the path that we discarded ages go and see where it lead to?

Matt Haig's latest novel is a heartwarming read about second chances and opportunities in a well packaged narrative.

Gist:

Nora is unhappy, she sees her life as a big dump of poor choices and one day she chooses to end it all. Interestingly that is when her life actually begins. She finds herself in a library where she picks up the book of Regrets and gets the chance to revisit her choices and to do things differently. The result is a startling revelation about the concept of a perfect life.

My review:

• I absolutely loved the book. Nora Seed's character is endearing, her misery and unhappiness is relatable. Matt tells her story by counting down the hours to the point when she decides to end her life, a great way of revealing her present and the circumstances that lead to it. I was hooked from the beginning.

• This could have easily been a preachy, self help kind of a narrative but the concept of examining regrets and exploring outcomes is very beautifully packaged in a story. The framework of a library, the idea of sifting through options is done very well. I couldn't wait to see how Nora fared in each of those lives and what she would choose. 

• It was a pleasant surprise to see how the story steered to the resolution, did not see that coming at all. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it but the real reason why I liked it is that I often think back to what ifs and this spoke to me in many ways.

One of the best life affirming reads I have read in a while.

Aarti and the Blue Gods - Jasbinder Bilan

This is the third book that I have picked up by this author and I have grown to love her style now. Bilan's books are a beautiful mix of magic realism interspersed with cultural references. This one is no different.

Gist:

Aarti has always lived with her temperamental aunt on this island for as long as she can remember. They live off the land alone and Aarti has never known anything different. However, she keeps getting these flashback images about a living a different life lived elsewhere. One day when she gets into a locked room, and stumbles on certain things that make her question her present and delve into her past.

My review:

• Bilan's forte is magic realism and this story brims with it. 

• The amalgamation of cultures into her story - in this case Indian and the Druid cultures - makes for an interesting reading experience.

• Her stories now are beginning to have a set pattern and it is easier to predict how the story is going to flow. Although the familiarity feels great, perhaps a bit more exploration in terms of style and themes will sustain that "wow" factor that drew the reader to the first two books. 

• Bilan is good at handling senstive subjects like grief, acceptance in her stories for the young reader. It is for this reason alone, that I am confident about gifting a Bilan book to a young reader, knowing well that she will be in good hands. 

If you have read her other books this one may not be up to the mark, but if you haven't read her before, this standalone book is a good introduction to her writing.

  

Djinn Patrol On the Purple Line - Deepa Anappara

 A Heartwrenching Story 

This title was our book club choice and though I wasn't too happy to pick it up, but when I finished it, it left me in awe of the writer and her ability to create such an authentic world. In an interview, Anappara said she had to stick to facts as a journalist but this debut novel offered her opportunity to give voice to those people in her newsreports . 

Gist:

Ten year old Jai lives in an unnamed basti in the outskirts of a metro in India. When, a school friend goes missing, Jai sees a perfect opportunity to play the cop from his favourite show and investigate the disappearance with the help of his friends. Matters turn ugly when more abductions are reported and Jai and friends realise that it is getting more sinister as danger moves closer to home.

My review:

• I enjoyed reading about Jai and his friends. The character of Jai with his street smartness and humourous one liners made me smile. 

• I also enjoyed the world building. Jai does not live in the best of circumstances and yet his family is not stereotypical, there is happiness in his life that I found refreshing.

• The setting really works. Whether it is the government school where the main attraction is the midday meal, or the basti life it feels authentic and is done with sensitivity that really appeals to the reader.

• The story turns a bit grim as a feeling of dread builds as the story picks up pace. The emotions are real and relatable especially it is based on newsreports that are full of similar news of children going missing.  

• The fact that the story evokes emotions in the reader is a major plus, a nod to the writer's skills. 

Overall, it is a heart ripping, well told story. Evocative and eye-opening.

The Girl Before - J P Delaney

I picked it up after the BBC adaptation was announced and I wanted to get to the book before I got to the TV version. I am glad I did. Its been a while since I raced through a book and I finished this in two settings.

About the story:

Emma finds a property of a lifetime when she stumbles on this modern house in London. Jane also feels lucky to have got this place to rent despite a weird set of dos and dont's. There is a shocking parallel as both women fall in love with the landlord and soon it feels like there is something more to Edward Monkford other than just an eccentric architect.

My review:

• The story starts off with a bang in a voice that reels you in. Loved how the author has captured two distinct voices. Even though it is easy to detect the pattern, you can tell which character is narrating the story. Very smoothly done.

• The two women are mirrored quite well and yet their circumstances are so different. It was interesting to see how the two narratives would blend. The pacing is great as reader races through the story to get to the end.  

• The story is not only fast paced but also has a heart. It operates as a racy story on one level but then it has themes and motives that are carefully embedded into the story, taking the reader by surprise. A cracking read. 

TV adaptation:

Since I had just finished the novel before watching the series, it was easy to see how the screenplay had been adapted for the 4 hour series. Some minor tweaks worked well. However, the TV adaptation portrays Emma's character completely different towards the end. It is hard to say anything without divulging the plotline but suffice to say I like the Emma in the book better. Plus the character of the Jane has an arc in the book which is missing in the screen Jane. However, credit where it is due, they have retained the ending which explains the title, which was something that truly elevates the book in my opinion.

 

Totally enjoyed this book. I am off to check out his backlist now.
 

It could never happen here - Eithne Shortall

Who would have thought that PTA groups at school can be so lethal? Eithne Shortall takes this standard fixture of any school and it packs with humour and astute observations to deliver a cleverly plotted and hugely entertaining novel.

Story:

The Glass lake primary school's reputation is under threat when a scandal breaks out. PTFA's Beverley Franklin, cannot afford especially when it coincides with a school musical that is about to go national. She goes into damage control mode but when the undercurrents force the fast to surface, things quickly spiral out of control.

My review: 

• I loved the intial chapters as the characters and situations unravelled slowly. They were well etched and it was amazing to see how seemingly minor incidents had a bearing on the overall plot. 

• The viciousness with which parents fought over roles in the school musicial is humourous and yet realistic. Shortall's razor sharp observation creates for a lot of funny moments in the book, which is balanced well when events take a serious turn. 

• The school setting is vividly drawn and anyone with kids will know what it is like for parents. Shortall brings out the absurdity and the drama in this primary school setting quite well and I also enjoyed the small town, close knit community feel that really adds to the setting.

• The story moves at an interesting pace. There are different strands but it is amazing how they all come together, moving together to build up to the revelation. Great storytelling.

• Overall, a great read. The story kept me hooked and I felt totally invested in the characters. I loved the character of Beverley and her mother Frances who is a foil to her. Also the character of Nuala Patterson with her own distinctive persona and secrets is a great one.

• This could have easily been a sinister, hardhitting read but Shortall handles it with delicate humour and commendable skill. 

Totally recommend this one! 

The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett

What drew me to this was the setting - a small town public library. As an eternal lover of libraries, I couldn't resist this warm and cozy whodunnit full of interesting characters. One of the writer's admirable qualities is always coming with alliteration for his titles and this one is yet another example of a good one.

The Story:

Burton St Clair is a well known author who has come to the library for an event about his latest book. A pompous womanizer, he makes a lot of enemies even before the evening ends. The nextday however, the quiet village of Feathering wakes up to the fact that the author's body is found in the library car park.

Jude was at the author event the evening before and had known Burton from before, ends up a suspect. She must find the killer soon if she wanted to get out of it.

My Review:  

• There is a constant resonance to the Golden age of crime well in keeping with the library setting of the story. There is a bunch of characters who have their ties to the victim and the connections are very nicely explored.

• What really appealed to me, is how the writer explains the dwindling fortunes of libraries, many of which are shutting down across the country. A library is a special place for me and it was great to see the writer use the place as a setting and as a platform to reitarate their value. 

• A short racy read. I was too caught in the how the writer had structured the story with its interesting cast of characters that never guess the killer, the revelation came as a surprise. 

• A brilliant example of how a good story doesn't need a lot of pages to tell a good story. It can be delivered within a few pages if you know how to tell one.