"The Masala Chai Mystery Club" by Mj Soni

 

The Masala Chai Mystery Club by Mj Soni is a solid cozy mystery set in a fictional coastal New England town. The references to Agatha Christie in the blurb and to Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club made me pick up the book, as I am a sucker for Agatha Christie–esque mystery novels.

Written in the third person, the book follows retired Indian librarian Neeti Shah, who was forced to retire from the library she managed and now suffers from an existential crisis. Her husband has passed away, her two children have moved away, and she lives with her niece and her niece’s child. She needs to find a hobby to occupy her, and when a much-hated neighbor, who also happens to be a childhood friend, is killed, she suspects foul play. Together with her friends and her niece, she investigates the death, which the police deemed natural. Thus, the Masala Chai Mystery Club is born. A mysterious death, intriguing clues, and a lot of masala chai make this an engaging tale, even if the execution isn’t always smooth.

Overall, I liked the story. Themes of friendship, family, loss, community, loneliness, being adrift after losing a job, finding new routines and meaning, and reaffirming one’s identity beyond work are interwoven throughout the book. I loved the diverse cast, the cultural elements, the homage to Agatha Christie’s The Dumb Witness, and the mystery itself. I also liked the twists, and I didn’t figure out who the perpetrator(s) were, which is always a good thing.

The characters are developed well enough that you are quickly pulled in and start to care about them. I liked Neeti, but I found her niece to be too hasty and quick to misinterpret things. Another favorite character of mine was the dog, and I appreciated the nod to the dog in Agatha Christie’s The Dumb Witness. I also liked the parallel between the plot and Christie’s novel.

This is a debut novel, and it shows. There is a lot of potential here. The “bones” of the story are good, and there are a few twists along the way, but the execution needs improvement. I really wanted to like this book more. The concept was intriguing, and the characters were interesting, but the writing didn’t quite work for me. It felt stiff and didn’t really flow. Despite the issues I had with the writing, I kept reading because the plot itself was engaging, and I genuinely wanted to know how the mystery would be resolved.

In addition, there are some side threads about the histories of certain characters that have no real bearing on the plot. I felt they were there to make a point and could have been avoided. All in all, while I enjoyed the book, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. It isn’t a bad book; it just needs a bit of editing and fine-tuning. Fans of cozy mysteries and readers simply looking for a light read will likely enjoy it as long as the writing isn’t a dealbreaker for them.

 * Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Masala Chai Mystery Club" by Mj Soni

"A Field Guide to Murder" by by Michelle L. Cullen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fans of The Thursday Murder Club and Only Murders in the Building will find plenty to love in Michelle L. Cullen’s engaging mystery, A Field Guide to Murder. The book follows 69-year-old Harry Lancaster and his caregiver, Emma, as they team up to solve a neighbor’s murder.

Harry, a globe-trotting anthropologist and recent widower, is bedridden after a bad fall that left him with a broken hip. His daughter and her family have moved to India, so she hires Emma — a nurse and millennial caregiver — to help him get back on his feet. Harry feels down, believing his glory days are behind him, and he still hasn’t recovered from the death of his wife, despite the well-meaning support of his quaint condominium community.

The plot thickens when one of his neighbors is found dead. Detective Nate Bradford, assigned to the case, rules it an accidental death, but Harry and Emma suspect foul play. As they begin their investigation, Emma also struggles with personal challenges, including a presumptuous fiancé and doubts about her future prospects. As their digging uncovers tidbits about their neighbors, they soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a murderer.

I enjoyed this debut novel very much. The main protagonists are likeable, and I loved the dynamic between Emma and Harry — their bond felt authentic. I appreciated the fatherly care Harry showed Emma and the way he encouraged her by subtly leaving books with inspiring titles on the table. Emma was caring, too, and I liked seeing her personal growth. At times, I wanted to shake them both for the unnecessary risks they took — I cared that much about them.

The characterization was excellent, bringing each person to life, even the minor ones. The pace was steady, and the writing smooth. The book explores themes of grief, friendship, learning to listen to your heart, doing what’s right for you (not what others think is right), and finding the courage to follow your own path despite external pressures.

Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and give it full stars. I didn’t guess the perpetrator’s identity until the very end — the author truly managed to deceive me. The tone strikes a perfect balance between cozy and suspenseful, with touches of humor and heartwarming moments, set against the backdrop of a tight-knit condo community full of shadows. I loved this book and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with heart, humor, and a touch of cozy intrigue.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "A Field Guide to Murder" by by Michelle L. Cullen

"Murder Two Doors Down" by Chuck Storla

 

"Murder Two Doors Down" by Chuck Storla is a light-hearted, humorous whodunit mystery following an insurance agent in a suburban Atlanta subdivision that gets mixed up with murder. I loved Only Murders in the Building, so the blurb caught my eye. I knew within the first few pages that I was going to enjoy this book—and boy, was I right!

Brad Hanson lives with his wife, Rhonda, in the Estates at Chestnut Lake. They have two adult kids away at college. In addition to his day job, he also serves as secretary of the homeowners' association board. His life is as boring as can be—until a murder or two enliven his days. He’s set in his ways and considers his marriage happy overall, despite the growing list of rules his wife has set for him.

When someone murders cranky old Inga Oskarsdotter, Brad becomes the chief suspect. As frustrating as the homeowners' association meetings can be, he would never kill a neighbor. He might think about it from time to time, but who wouldn’t??

The police seem determined to pin it on him, leaving Brad no choice but to investigate and find the real killer before he’s sent to the can. He doesn’t share his sleuthing with his wife—she isn’t exactly supportive. All she seems to care about are her reality TV shows and a new kitchen. With Tony as his sidekick, playing the Watson to his Sherlock, Brad follows the trail of blood—but only manages to dig himself deeper into the mud. The plot thickens as the body count rises, and it becomes clear there’s a murderer on the loose, with no other suspects in sight but him.

This was a perfect delight to me. It has satisfying drama, an engaging protagonist, and plenty of humor. It starts off a bit slow, but once the story kicks into gear, it’s captivating. Told in Brad’s first-person POV, the author paints a colorful portrait of him and does a tremendous job capturing the personalities of the characters.

I liked Brad with all his eccentricities—his set of rules, his tendency to talk too much, and his love of quoting statistics to the annoyance of others. He takes questions too literally, doesn’t have any close friends, is clueless at times, and has compulsions to check things over and over. And yet, I still liked him and rooted for him. His wife irritated me with her long list of banned topics, her lack of appreciation for him, her impatience toward him, and the way she treated him overall.

It’s not edge-of-your-seat suspense—and that’s okay. The mystery is solidly developed and compelling. The writing is very detailed—sometimes a little too detailed—with miscellaneous information. But you can picture each character, each place, and each scene vividly.

I felt like the book could be trimmed a bit, as some things started to feel repetitive. It could use another round of editing to really shine. There were a few close-together words, too many statistics, and a bit too much food and clothing description that slowed the plot. While I partly suspected who did it, that didn’t dampen my enjoyment at all. I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out why.

All in all, this book was a great read. It had everything I hoped for—humor, mystery, and a quirky lead I could root for. This is the first in the An HOA Homicide Mystery series, and I’d love to read the next one. If mystery is your genre, pick this book up and look forward to a good time. Recommended to fans of amateur sleuthing, suburban neighborhood dynamics, and those who like their murders with a spoonful of humor.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "Murder Two Doors Down" by Chuck Storla

"The Good Bride" by Jen Marie Wiggins

 

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way" (Tolstoy). This sums up the book perfectly. "The Good Bride" by Jen Marie Wiggins is a slow-burn family drama told from multiple POVs. I had high expectations for the book, but unfortunately, they weren't fully met.

The book follows the Bancroft family, who are as dysfunctional as they come. Bride-to-be Ruth Bancroft is marrying Teo in a quaint fishing village on the Gulf Coast, where her mother resides. Cracks in the family start to show as the wedding preparations continue.

Weddings are stressful affairs, even more so when secrets and lies bubble under the surface. The arrival of Ruth's estranged father adds to the existing tension. The plot thickens when Ruth begins receiving anonymous notes warning her that "she is next." Things come to a head when gunshots disrupt the rehearsal dinner and a guest goes missing. As secrets start spilling out, what was supposed to be a happy event quickly turns into a debacle.

The story is mostly character-driven, focusing more on the traits and emotions of the characters, with only minimal action. I liked the main characters, Ruth and Teo, although Ruth was more well-developed. The book explores themes of messy family liaisons, modern media, lies, betrayal, and fallible human nature, which I found intriguing.

While the premise intrigued me initially, I struggled to connect with the narrative. It is more of a family drama than a thriller, with not much happening until the last third of the book. Although there are some tense moments, especially towards the end, they aren't quite enough to sustain the plot's momentum. The pace was extremely slow, and I didn’t feel a sense of urgency to keep reading. The plot plods along with limited action, focusing instead on the characters and the setting. Still, there are some interesting turns toward the end.

Overall, I enjoyed the book despite its flaws. The interactions between the characters, their dynamics, and the setting were well done. I also appreciated the writing, felt invested in the characters' fates, and liked the ending. I loved that Ruth finally grew a backbone and learned to stand up for herself. Therefore, I rate the book 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it to fans of slow-burn family dramas. There was definitely drama here.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "The Good Bride" by Jen Marie Wiggins

"On the Surface" by Rachel McGuire

 

 

"On the Surface" by Rachel McGuire is a slow-burn thriller that revolves around a YouTube cruising couple anchored in the Bahamas.

The book begins with a bang — the mysterious death of a young woman — before moving to the present. We're introduced to Sawyer Stone III and Dani Fox, a young couple immersed in the pleasures of cruising, sex, and parties. Dani diligently documents their life on their YouTube channel 'Sailing with the Foxes' as they attempt to make a living from it.

Struggling financially after Sawyer lost his money in a crypto scheme, the plot thickens when Dani vanishes following a boat party, and Sawyer has no recollection of the events after a night of heavy drinking. When Dani's pre-scheduled videos are aired, showing Sawyer's violent tendencies and the cracks in their relationship, he becomes the main suspect in her disappearance due in part to his shady past. The intervention of internet sleuths in the case doesn't make it easy to crack.

The story is told in Dani and Sawyer's first-person perspectives, switching back and forth between them, with some interlude chapters in the third perspective from a couple of other characters such as Local Inspector Veronique Knowles and Sonja, a fellow cruiser.

I enjoyed the book, mostly, but I do have a few reservations. But first, to what I liked. I loved the setting, the description of the lifestyle of the cruisers, and the exposure of the fakeness of social media. What appears as a glamorous life on social media turns out to be pretense and lies. The main characters were well-drawn, and I liked the dynamics between them, but they were unlikeable, to put it mildly. The writing was good and flowed easily from one POV to another.

On the surface, the book has all the elements for a successful story: a brilliant premise, an intriguing plot, complex characters, and good writing. Unfortunately, the execution of the story felt a little flat. The main issues I had with this book were the slow pace, the unlikable characters, and the abrupt ending.

The book was slow-paced until the middle, and I didn’t feel a sense of urgency to keep reading. Some things were predictable once the connection between the prologue and the story was revealed. I didn't like the two main characters. I could not connect with or relate to them, and that detracted from the story for me. I have read books with dislikable characters before, but not like that. I never really got to a point where I could care about them.

The ending was very abrupt; it was open-ended actually, with several loose threads left untied. I thought the book had some missing pages at first. There were a couple of unanswered questions, and I was dissatisfied with the lack of a moral resolution in the book's ending. Therefore, I decided to give the book 2.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars. I recommend the book to those who appreciate a unique setting and are open to navigating unlikable characters, a slower pace, or narratives with open-ended conclusions.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "On the Surface" by Rachel McGuire