This novel follows a group of Irish teenagers over the course of a summer, drifting between parties, friendships, betrayals, and the awkward intensityThis novel follows a group of Irish teenagers over the course of a summer, drifting between parties, friendships, betrayals, and the awkward intensity of first relationships. It is written in a fragmented style, shifting across storylines in an attempt to capture the chaos of adolescence.
The book opens with a scene in the woods, where two teenagers are lying together. The girl is described as lying stiffly on her back, staring at the sky with an unreadable expression, while the boy is focused on his own desire. The description is graphic and unsettling, and for me it set the wrong tone from the start.
I cannot understand some of the hype this book has received. The fragmented narrative, coupled with its treatment of teenage experiences, left me cold. Clearly I am not the right demographic for this novel, and I found it disappointing rather than insightful and certainly not “darkly funny”
Salutation Road is a debut novel that follows Sirad a 23 year old whose parents had fled to London during the Somali Civil War. She boards a bus and tSalutation Road is a debut novel that follows Sirad a 23 year old whose parents had fled to London during the Somali Civil War. She boards a bus and there is a Sliding Doors episode.
The book has been compared to Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West, another migration story with a fantasy twist, but for me it doesn’t reach the same level of depth or resonance. The writing style, pacing, and character development felt more suited to a Young Adult audience, with less nuance than I had hoped for.
Overall, it was an okay read — not without merit, but it didn’t fully engage me. Two stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
This is a solid, atmospheric novel with a clever multi-perspective narrative, though I found it ultimately a little too long for its own good.
The storThis is a solid, atmospheric novel with a clever multi-perspective narrative, though I found it ultimately a little too long for its own good.
The story follows several interconnected characters in the aftermath of a mysterious event. We meet Clare, a woman returning to her childhood village, clearly haunted by something from her past. Then there’s Martin, a teacher and local historian who seems to know more than he’s letting on, and Ellie, a teenager who stumbles across unsettling clues that the adults are trying to keep buried. Through their alternating viewpoints, there’s a constant suggestion that something sinister has happened, and that the truth has been hidden for years.
This structure worked well at first — the different voices add texture, and the air of menace builds nicely — but for me the reveal took a bit too long to arrive. By the time we got there, the tension had started to drag, and I felt the book overall could have been tighter and more impactful at a shorter length.
Still, it’s a well-written exploration of guilt, memory, and the way communities conspire to keep secrets. Worth reading if you enjoy slow-burn literary mysteries, though you’ll need some patience to see it through.
**The Girl in Cell A** by Vaseem Khan is a gripping thriller that marks the author's first venture outside his usual Indian settings. The story revolv **The Girl in Cell A** by Vaseem Khan is a gripping thriller that marks the author's first venture outside his usual Indian settings. The story revolves around two parallel narratives that intertwine to uncover a chilling mystery. The novel is a departure from Khan's beloved Baby Ganesh series, taking readers on an intense journey through new cultural and geographical landscapes.
### Review Having read and enjoyed Vaseem Khan's Baby Ganesh books, I was intrigued to dive into his new venture with *The Girl in Cell A*. As his first book set outside of India, it was fascinating to see how Khan adapted his storytelling to a different backdrop while retaining the engaging narrative style he is known for.
The dual narrative structure worked exceptionally well for me. It allowed for a multifaceted exploration of the story, keeping the suspense high and the plot dynamic. Despite the book's length, it was a quick read, thanks to the periodic summaries within the narrative that helped maintain momentum and clarity.
The twists and turns were plentiful, making it an exciting ride from start to finish. The final twist was particularly satisfying and well-executed, providing a fulfilling conclusion to the story.
Overall, *The Girl in Cell A* is a decent read, showcasing Khan's versatility as a writer and his ability to craft compelling mysteries in any setting. If you enjoyed the Baby Ganesh series, you'll likely appreciate this new direction in story telling....more
Julie Clark’s latest novel, The Ghostwriter, attempts to weave a tale of family secrets and suspense but ultimately falls short in delivering a compel
Julie Clark’s latest novel, The Ghostwriter, attempts to weave a tale of family secrets and suspense but ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. The story centers on Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter coerced into penning her estranged father’s memoir—a father notorious for the alleged murder of his siblings decades prior.
One of the primary issues with the novel is its predictability. The plot unfolds in a manner that leaves little room for surprise, making the so-called twists feel more like gentle turns.
Character development is another area where the book falters. Olivia, as the protagonist, comes across as one-dimensional, making it challenging for readers to form a genuine connection or invest in her journey. Her interactions with other characters feel superficial, lacking the depth needed to drive the emotional core of the story.
Furthermore, the narrative structure, with its alternating timelines between the present and the events of 1975, is executed in a disjointed manner. This approach disrupts the story’s flow for me.
In conclusion, while The Ghostwriter had the potential to be a gripping thriller, it is marred by its predictability, shallow character portrayals, and a fragmented narrative structure. Readers seeking a suspenseful and emotionally resonant story may find themselves disappointed.
Martha Márquez’s Mexico City Cocktails is a feast for the senses, beautifully blending vibrant photography, creative recipes, and a celebration of Mex
Martha Márquez’s Mexico City Cocktails is a feast for the senses, beautifully blending vibrant photography, creative recipes, and a celebration of Mexico City’s rich cultural heritage. The book is stunningly photographed, with every cocktail captured in a way that evokes the lively, artistic spirit of the city itself. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to head straight to the kitchen—or the nearest cocktail bar.
One of the standout features is Márquez’s attention to detail. Each recipe not only outlines the ingredients and method but even specifies the type of glass to use, adding a professional touch for those looking to recreate these drinks authentically. However, many of the recipes call for specialised ingredients that might prove challenging for the average home bartender. For instance, not many of us have edible rice paper printed with a portrait of Frida Kahlo just lying around! While this might make some recipes less accessible, it also highlights the creativity and artistry behind each drink.
As with most recipe books I’ve read in e-book format, I couldn’t help but feel this one would be far better as a hard copy. The tactile experience of flipping through its vibrant pages, cocktail in hand, would add another layer of enjoyment to the book.
All in all, Mexico City Cocktails is a lovely addition to any cocktail enthusiast’s collection. For me, it brought back wonderful memories of many trips to Mexico City—its colours, its energy, and, of course, its unforgettable flavours. While it may not be the most practical for everyday use, it’s an inspiring and visually delightful celebration of a truly remarkable city.
Not the book for me. I don’t mind having to work hard at a novel if I am getting something back for my work. That didn’t happen for me. Too much free Not the book for me. I don’t mind having to work hard at a novel if I am getting something back for my work. That didn’t happen for me. Too much free association without proper punctuation, pages and pages of the stuff. A someone else said it tested one’s patience.
Requested this because of the Ottolenghi endorsement and also thinking about Imad’s Kitchen which was recipes plus a story. This book was more story pRequested this because of the Ottolenghi endorsement and also thinking about Imad’s Kitchen which was recipes plus a story. This book was more story plus a few recipes. Unfortunately I didn’t find the recipes particularly compelling and nor was the story.
It follows three characters in two different timelines. Arthur is born in the slums of Victorian London, by the polluted ThaStunning, simply stunning.
It follows three characters in two different timelines. Arthur is born in the slums of Victorian London, by the polluted Thames. Salesian lives in a house boat in modern day London and is a hydrologist. Finally there is Nain a 9 year old Yazhidi girl who goes to Mozul.
Not only does this have Shafak’s wonderful prose it addresses a wide range of topics, cultural heritage, climate change, immigration, genocide, modern day slavery and the theme of water runs through it. For me, at no time did it seem heavy handed.
I would be surprised if this isn’t my book of the year. Cannot rate this highly enough....more
Olga’s house is going to be demolished in order for a monument to a massacre to be installed.
This book packs in a lot into the 70 odds pages. PerhapsOlga’s house is going to be demolished in order for a monument to a massacre to be installed.
This book packs in a lot into the 70 odds pages. Perhaps too much for me. I would have preferred the characters to have been developed a bit more. It might be worth a re-read to see if I get more out of it but the TBR list is too long.
A sequel to The Searcher, which I also enjoyed. Ex Chicago PD CalmHooper is now living in rural Ireland. In this book Trey’s father returns.
I haven’t A sequel to The Searcher, which I also enjoyed. Ex Chicago PD CalmHooper is now living in rural Ireland. In this book Trey’s father returns.
I haven’t read any of the Dublin Murder series, but I gather, from reviews, this series is a departure from that style. Many people have said this series is slow in comparison to DM. The Hunter is slow, it is a very slow burn but the characterization and sense of place is very well told.
I enjoyed this a lot. Well written. Difficult book to review as evidence by the above