"The Haunting of Emily Grace" by Elena Taylor

 

The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor is a suspense novel with shades of Rebecca and underlying themes of grief, isolation, and psychological dread. Written in first-person POV, it follows a grieving woman with a water phobia who takes a job on an isolated island and must come to terms with ghosts both past and present. That said, it isn’t a traditional ghost story—the heroine is haunted more by her own past and present than by spirits.

Emily Grace is a carpenter (a refreshing choice of profession) hired to finish work on a mansion called the End of the World—a fitting name—on the secluded island of Monk’s Rock, surrounded by a harsh, unforgiving sea. The home was commissioned by millionaire Cameron and designed by his wife, Katrina, who vanished in a sailing accident and is presumed dead.

Locals whisper that the house is cursed, but Emily isn’t deterred—the job is her lifeline. She befriends the clairvoyant Juniper and Adrian, the ferry’s first mate, yet unsettling events soon follow: wet footprints outside her door, vague noises, ghostly whispers through the forest, and a specter in the window. The arrival of Chloe, Cameron’s estranged daughter, and a series of accidents and stormy nights deepen the tension. Unsure whom to trust, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, even at great risk.

Atmospheric and haunting, the book was intriguing to read from start to finish. The writing is evocative, bringing the cold, eerie setting vividly to life. It moves slowly, but I found it enjoyable—the isolated island was the perfect stage for the story’s suspenseful vibes. There’s a slow-burn romance, but it takes a definite backseat to the plot. Readers who prefer fast-paced thrillers may need patience, but those who enjoy immersive, slow-building suspense will appreciate it.

I admired Emily’s resilience as she worked through grief and fear of the sea, and I appreciated the message that we don’t simply overcome loss—we learn to live with it. Chloe, on the other hand, was irritating, though her presence kept the intrigue. I especially enjoyed the uncertainty around which character could be trusted, and the plot kept me guessing until the end.

The remote setting, gothic atmosphere, and the mystery of the missing woman all gave me strong Rebecca vibes—a book that has long been a favorite of mine. While the conclusion tied up the loose ends, it felt a little rushed, with the final chapter leaning more on telling than showing. Still, I enjoyed the book, slow parts and all, and would recommend it to fans of atmospheric suspense. Just go in with an open mind and don’t expect a ghost story per se.

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

* For more details about the book: "The Haunting of Emily Grace" by Elena Taylor

"Lie in the Tide" by Holly Danvers

 

"Lie in the Tide" by Holly Danvers is a solid suspense thriller set on Cape Cod, exploring the impact and consequences of white lies on relationships. I love the reunion gone wrong trope, so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

The story follows four friends reuniting after 20 years apart: Mori, the hostess and a bestselling erotica author; Calista, a suburban mom and high school English teacher; Remi, a yoga instructor; and Avery, a farm wife living in Iowa. They all have secrets - some more serious than others. The plot thickens when one of them fails to arrive at the reunion, leaving no trace behind. As the friends try to uncover what happened, tensions rise, secrets unravel, and then - there’s a murder.

This is a book about secrets and lies. At times, I felt there were simply too many. While the story delves deep into the characters' mindsets, I struggled to connect with any of them or the foolish decisions they made. Some of their actions left me raising a brow, as they didn’t always make sense. And their constant arguments were exhausting, to say the least.

That said, I appreciated the attention to detail in the characters' interactions and inner thoughts. The writing itself was strong - the emotions leapt off the page. However, this also slowed the pacing at times. I wasn’t fully engaged or eager to see what would happen next.

Overall, it was an okay read. It started off really well, but eventually lost momentum. The mystery itself was predictable and didn’t keep me guessing, though the twist at the end did manage to surprise me. The identity of the villain was obvious (at least to me), and I found it unrealistic that they weren't on the suspect list.

That being said, I still enjoyed the book to some extent, so I’m giving it 3 out of 5 stars. The twist at the end made up for some of the flaws. I’d recommend it to readers who don’t mind a slow-paced story and are new to the genre.

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

* For more info about the book: "Lie in the Tide" by Holly Danvers

"The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck" by Tarquin Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck" by Tarquin Hall is the sixth installment in the delightful Vish Puri series, featuring India’s Most Private Investigator. As a long-time fan of the series, I was thrilled to see a new addition. And it is just as good as the other books!

The hero of the piece is Vish Puri, a brilliant private detective and owner of a detective agency who is offended when people dare to compare him to the fictional Sherlock Holmes. Unlike other classic detectives, he does not work alone and has a host of colorful agents at his disposal: Handbrake, Tubelight, Flush, to name a few. Also, there is Madam Rani, his secretary and the recorder of his exploits.

Vish is 59 years old, smart, patriotic, a master of disguise, and a passionate lover of everything fried and spicy (even if he's not allowed to). He is a detective in the old-fashioned sense. His main tools are common sense and intuition, combined with the technological skills and daring of his assistants.

When he wins the International Detective of the Year award, he is asked to keep it a secret. Within hours, it seems all of Delhi knows – including his indomitable Mummy-ji, who announces she will come with him and his wife Rumpy to the ceremony in London, much to their dismay. The plot thickens when a senior government bureaucrat asks him to track down India’s most-wanted fugitive, billionaire pharmaceutical fraudster code-named Bombay Duck, rumored to hide in London, a request he can't refuse.

Vish’s predicament is both humorous and chaotic as he juggles keeping the investigation secret from Rumpy - who would not approve of him working during their much-anticipated vacation - and from Mummy-ji, who has her own ways of meddling. Alongside his nephew Jags and Bromley, an English police detective, Vish dives into the case while his mother pursues an investigation of her own.

I absolutely loved the book! It’s brimming with humor, clever wordplay, mouthwatering descriptions of Indian food, and comparisons between the Indian and British cultures. Mummy-ji is a sharp, hilarious force of nature, and her adventures were a highlight. The story seamlessly weaves between London and New Delhi, juggling multiple plotlines that all tie together brilliantly.

While the book can be enjoyed on its own, I recommend reading the earlier installments to fully appreciate the characters and their dynamics. The chapters include helpful explanations of cultural concepts, and a glossary of Indian words and terms at the end enhances the experience.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that captures the essence of its settings and cultures. I found myself smiling at Vish’s struggles to find non-vegetarian food while staying with his vegetarian hosts, or when he failed to catch the irony of Inspector Bromley. If you’re a fan of Alexander McCall Smith’s series, you’ll adore this book even more - it delivers a richer mystery, vivid characters, and plenty of substance. Highly recommended!

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

* For more info about the book: "The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck" by Tarquin Hall