Book Review – The Spider Strikes by Michael P. Spradlin

 

The Spider Strikes by Michael P. Spradlin is about three best friends spending one last summer together before one of them leaves for America.

In the summer of 1931, Joshua and his family once again travel to their cabin in Salzburg, Austria, just as they have done for many summers before. Joshua is especially looking forward to getting away from his home in Heroldsberg because the Nazi presence there is growing stronger, and Jewish families like his are facing increasing harassment and cruelty.

Before his friend Rolf leaves for America with his father, Joshua invites him and their other best friend, Ansel, to spend time together at the family cabin. However, what begins as a relaxing getaway quickly turns dangerous when the boys discover that the Nazis also have a growing presence in Austria. A group of older Nazi boys begins following them after the trio hikes up the mountain to the cabin. As the situation becomes more threatening, the boys must figure out how to escape before things spiral even further out of control.

This is the third book in the series. While it can technically be read as a standalone, I wouldn’t really recommend it. I had only read the first book and didn’t realize this was the third installment until I started reading. Even so, I was still able to enjoy the story, although there were definitely some character nuances and backstories that I missed.

Like the first book, I thought this one was very well written. The characters are likable and easy to root for. I also loved how the author handled such a difficult subject in a realistic but accessible way that allows younger readers to both enjoy the story and empathize with the characters. Even though the book is short, it is action-packed and very easy to get engrossed in. I ended up reading it in one sitting. The ending leaves room for more adventures, but unfortunately, the author recently passed away. That genuinely made me sad because I had grown very attached to the characters and wanted to continue following their journey.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review - The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

 

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan follows Nina Redmond, a woman who loses her beloved job as a librarian and decides to open a mobile bookshop. Nina has a special gift for matching readers with the perfect book. Books have always been both her passion and her career until she suddenly finds herself unemployed and unsure of what to do next.

The one thing Nina knows for certain is that her future must still involve books. Inspiration strikes when she comes across an ad for a van that she considers transforming into a bookmobile. She plans to drive her mobile bookshop to different neighborhoods, bringing books directly to readers.

As Nina works to launch her bookshop, she encounters her grumpy landlord, who seems to want nothing to do with her, and a charming train conductor who serenades her with poetry and leaves thoughtful gifts. While adjusting to her new life, Nina begins to connect with the people and the place, and it slowly starts to feel like home. But will Nina be able to find her own happily ever after?

I wasn’t sure what to make of this book. I expected a cozy story about a woman finding herself and rediscovering her love of books. However, in the second half of the novel, several odd romantic and non-romantic subplots are introduced, followed by graphic and out-of-place sex scenes. I didn’t care for any of the love interests, who felt lukewarm at best, and I would have preferred they were left out entirely.

I also expected stronger female relationships, but many of Nina’s interactions with her friend Surinder revolved around men. Some of the male characters were sexist, and Nina often came across as helpless and immature. I thought the book was okay-to-meh read, but I wouldn’t continue with the rest of the series.

Book Review - Vesuvius by Cass Biehn

 

Vesuvius by Cass Biehn follows a thief named Felix, who steals a religious relic and must deal with the dangerous aftermath. Felix has spent most of his life surviving as a thief, so when he gets the opportunity to steal a helmet from a temple, he takes it, assuming it will be an easy payout. However, he soon realizes the helmet is a priceless artifact and a sacred relic of the god Mercury.

When Felix touches the helmet, fragmented memories of his forgotten past flash through his mind, stirring a simmering anger within him. To make matters worse, a powerful aristocratic noble begins hunting him down, determined to reclaim the relic at any cost.

Meanwhile, Loren, a temple attendant and aspiring councilman, is plagued by dreams and nightmares of Pompeii being destroyed. In every dream, he sees a mysterious boy at the center of the chaos. When an earthquake shakes the city and Loren unexpectedly crosses paths with Felix, he realizes Felix is the boy from his visions.

To uncover the truth behind his dreams, Loren must understand Felix’s connection to the relic, especially if he hopes to save his beloved city. As Loren and Felix work together to prevent the earthquakes and stop Loren’s visions from coming true, they discover someone is desperate to keep the truth hidden. Will the two of them be able to save their city and survive?

I didn’t really care for the book. I found it boring and lackluster, despite being interested in Felix’s connection to the relic. I struggled to finish because the story moved very slowly and felt repetitive. The parts I did want to know more about were either rushed or skipped over entirely. With multiple storylines, it became difficult to keep track of how everything connected. The pacing felt uneven, and I wasn’t a fan of the writing style, which took away from the experience. I wouldn’t go out of my way to read another book by this author.

Book Review – Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee

 

 

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee is about a young woman, Lucy Nowhere, searching for the killer she believes murdered both her benefactor and her father.

In 1918, on Orcas Island, Washington, Lucy Nowhere has spent all eighteen years of her life working on the vast and remote estate of an eccentric shipbuilder. He found her in a green canoe when she was a newborn baby. Although the island is the only home she has ever known, Lucy dreams of leaving and discovering the rest of the world. In just a few days, she plans to leave for college and finally take control of her own destiny.

Everything changes when she discovers the severed head of her employer washed up on the beach. Rumors quickly spread that something dark and supernatural is at play. Lucy, however, doesn’t believe in myths or superstitions and is convinced the killer is human. As she searches for the truth, suspicion begins to fall on her after she is named the heiress to the entire estate. Will Lucy be able to uncover the truth before it’s too late?

I’ve read two other books by the author and enjoyed them, and I do think the author writes engaging historical fiction novels. However, I was very disappointed by this book. It felt overly long and boring at times, and I also thought the writing could be confusing. I remember one character seemingly fainting and dying when the estate owner died, only for that same character to later appear alive during the reading of the will. Moments like that made parts of the story feel unclear and difficult to follow.

I also felt like Lucy spent most of the book fumbling her way through situations instead of coming across as strong or capable. She was also far too trusting with certain information, even after her caretaker repeatedly warned her not to trust anyone. The killer ended up being someone I suspected, although there were still a few unexpected secrets revealed along the way.

I didn’t really care for any of the characters. Lucy wasn’t especially likable or interesting to me, and I didn’t enjoy the love triangle since it didn’t seem to add much to the overall story. I’m also not sure why the author included some of the supernatural elements without giving them more context or making them a bigger part of the plot. While I found this novel lackluster, I would still be open to reading more books by the author.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.

 

Book Review - Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess

 

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess follows thirty-four-year-old Cath, who flies halfway across the world when her mother unexpectedly passes away. Cath feels ambivalent about the loss of her mostly absentee mother. Living in Buffalo, New York, Cath keeps herself grounded by following the same predictable routine every day, determined not to become like her impulsive, thrill-seeking mother. After putting off sorting through her mother’s belongings, Cath is stunned to discover tickets to an upcoming “Murder Week” in England’s Peak.

For one week, the entire town stages a fake murder mystery to attract tourists and raise funds for the community. Confused by her mother’s secret trip and with no way to cancel it, Cath ends up going in her place.

Once she arrives, she meets her two new roommates, both devoted mystery fans. Wyatt Green, forty, unhappily works at his husband’s birding store. Amity Clary, fifty, is a divorced romance writer struggling with writer’s block. As the trio prepares to solve the staged murder, Cath slowly uncovers the real reason her mother planned to attend and realizes she may not have known her mother nearly as well as she thought.

I thought the novel made for a nice cozy read. There are two mysteries, and both have satisfying conclusions. The story does move a bit slowly at times, with stretches where not much happens, but I enjoyed the scenes with the trio trying to piece together the clues. Overall, I thought it was an okay read, and I would be open to reading more books by this author. If you enjoy cozy mysteries or quaint, Hallmark-style small-town stories, you might enjoy this one.