Trying To Get The Halloween Feels
October has come and gone and I tried very hard to get into the Halloween feels. As usual, I just bought more books. I’m definitely set for the next couple of years!
As we start a new month, let’s do a monthly reading wrap up…
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
I picked this book up a few months ago. The line “not all books should be opened” drew me in. I decided to save it for the autumn months and really wish I had read it sooner!
A debut novel by Emma Törzs. A unique fantasy / thriller novel that follows 3 different POVs.
There’s Joanna, who lives alone in the woods in the USA. She is the sole protector of a collection of rare books. Her sister, Esther, moves around constantly. Never allowed to stay anywhere longer than a year. Meanwhile, in London we meet Nicholas. Rich, sheltered and honestly getting tired of being blood let to write magical books.
Nicholas is a scribe. Joanna’s rare books are magic. Esther is always on the move because people are hunting her down.
When Esther finds blood smeared on the mirrors at her current job, she knows they have found her. And now, not only her life, but her sisters, are in danger.
A slow burner over the first 100 pages. With all the different POVs, you do have quite a bit of backstory to get through. Once the plot comes together, it is gripping. I had never read a book with mirror magic before. It’s a concept I’ll definitely look for again. This covers so many different themes, from LGBT+ to family. I am actually finding it hard to describe without giving too much away. It’s a very interesting premise and, for anyone who loves fantasy, it is very well written. For anyone wanting to get into fantasy, I would say this covers different areas of the genre. Without being too descriptive about the world building. 4.5 stars and the best way to start the month.
Holly by Stephen King
It’s spooky season. Of course, I had to read a Stephen King novel.
Holly Gibney is back.
When mother Penny Dahl calls Finders Keepers detective agency to help find her missing daughter, Bonnie, Holly hesitates.
Her partner at the agency has covid and she has just buried her mum because of the virus. But she takes the case and starts to investigate.
Meanwhile, just a few blocks from where Bonnie disappeared, we have the Harris’s.
Both are now, mostly retired. Both trying to cheat ill health in the most gruesome of ways. Holly has to question everything she comes across. Especially to outthink two professors. But I don’t think, even with what she has seen in her life, she ever expected a case like this.
Although I dodged spoilers, I did see a few reviews where some really liked this book and others really hated it.
Stephen King has written a novel based in Midwestern America in the last few years. There are references to Trump, the Covid-19 pandemic, racism, homophobia, sexism, misogyny… everything that had happened during that time.
For some, they see this as a way for King to put all his own views in a book. Well, it is his book, his characters and if that’s what he wants to write about, that’s what he wants to write about.
I do concede to a few reviewers who said it wasn’t that the book was bad. They just didn’t enjoy reading about something they had just gone through. I felt very on the fence myself at first. But, I could then see the norm in Holly’s actions with regards to asking about being vaccinated or wearing a mask.
Couldn’t put the book down, I was engrossed in the gross of the case. 4 Stars and highly recommend it.
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
A little autumnal romance for the month.
When Jeanie’s aunt decides to go on the adventure of a lifetime, she gifts her The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. Located in the small town of Dream Harbour. This is a fresh start for Jeanie and she jumps at the chance.
Logan, a local farmer, usually avoids mainstreet at all costs. But this new upbeat, talkative girl has captivated his attention.
But there is more to both their lives than what each of them let on. Could this be a romance story of Fairytales? Or will it crash and burn?
This book is very much the grumpy sunshine trope you need in your life. With so many autumnal small town feels, it was like reading a Hallmark movie.
This has been all over BookTok and I devoured it in a few days. A little bit of spice in some of the later chapters, but not too much. And some great characters which I believe we will be introduced to again soon! I believe the second book will be out in the summer of 2024 and will feature a few characters we have already met.
I am excited to see where Laurie Gilmore takes this series. Years ago, I loved to buy books from The Little Black Dress collection. If you loved those, you’ll love this book. 4.5 Stars.
The Quiet Dead by NJ Mackay
This was a book from a recent “The Works” haul. I picked it up as I liked the synopsis and it is published by Hera Books. I’ve bought a few from that publishing house before.
15 years ago, Leonard Dasilva admitted to the murder of his wife, teenage son and his son’s friend at the family home. With his 9-year-old son missing. It was assumed Leonard killed him too.
But what happens when the bones of Ethan are found on a development site miles away? What happens when they realise Leonard didn’t have enough time to kill and bury Ethan so far away from the family home?
Leonard confessed. So it must have been him, right?
DI Sebatian Locke has reopened the case, and with a small team, sets out to find the truth about what happened that night. First point of call? To Hayley Dasilva. Leonard’s daughter and the one to find the crime scene all those years ago.
Hayley returns to Thamespark. Hiding this part of her past from her husband. Not having spoken to friends from there for years. Not ever knowing the real truth. Will DI Locke be able to give it her?
This is one of those books that I like to call a perfect story for an ITV series. NJ Mackay writes well and uses short chapters. I prefer that in a crime story as it makes it easier to follow along with all the twists and turns, which this story had some great ones! This was a lovely introduction to a new DI and I’m excited to see what case he works on next. 3.5 Stars.
And that was me trying to get into the Halloween feels this past month. There are a few releases this November I cannot wait for. Let’s see where my mood takes me…
As always, thanks for reading…