A Death Of No Importance by Mariah Fredericks

 

Setting 

The book is set in New York in the early 1900s, just after the Gilded Age, when there was rapid economic and industrial growth. It was during this time when a new section in society emerged, that of people with new money. They had made their fortunes from railroads, steel and other industries. It was also the time when the role of women in society was confined to raising the family and throwing opulent balls. Her stepping out to work or be part of the political system was frowned upon. Women suffrage was still a point of contention among the elites.

Storyline

Jane Prescott is an intuitive and quick-witted ladies maid in New York. She serves the two daughters Louise and Charlotte of the Benchley family.

Benchley’s are new money people and are trying to carve a position for themselves in the New York society. After the murder of Norrie Newsome to whom Charlotte Benchley was engaged on the night of the announcement, Jane finds herself getting involved in mystery. Being a loyal maid to Benchley's, Jane initially wants to clear Charlotte's name but gets invested in the investigation nudged by investigative journalist Michael Behan. When the press and police were baying for the blood of anarchists, Jane delves further to figure out motive and means. She does not believe the theory of anarchists being behind the murder but reckons it to be a crime of passion or vengeance.

My Thoughts

Bearing in mind the period the book is based in, what I loved about the book was that the protagonist is a woman and that too a maid. Maids were expected to be invisible and only makes their presence felt when needed or called for. But that was also their main asset.

 “You see everything, even the things you’re not supposed to.”

“See, my theory is the people who cook the food and clean the clothes see and hear a lot more than the people they work for.”

The writing is very elucidative and the New York of the 1900s comes alive in front of your eyes. The attention to detail is brilliant. The little twist thrown in the end stumped me. I believe that this is Mariah Fredericks’ first outing in the world of adult fiction but she has not deviated much further away from Young Adult fiction. Also, the reference to Tip-the elephant towards the end was more of a distraction and didn't add anything to the narration. 

Star Rating - 3/5

Recommend - Try it if you are looking for a simple mystery with no frills!

All That Lingers by Irene Wittig

 

Setting

The book spans over more than four decades, 1934-1960. Austria, in 1934 was witnessing the rise of Nazism due to the growing influence of Hitler in neighbouring Germany. Socialists were being suppressed and Jews began fearing for their rights and their lives. Anti-semitism was widespread. The political future of Austria was in shambles. In 1938, after the Anschluss- the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany without even a shot being fired, Jews fled the country. Nuremberg Laws forbade marriages between Jews and Germans. Jews were declared as state subjects without any citizenship rights.

Storyline

The book follows the life of Emma and her friends in Vienna. Emma was at the brink of happiness in her life. She was looking forward to a future with Theo. Then the whole world was thrown into chaos and everything was snatched away from her.  When Hitler marched into Austria, almost all the Jews attempted to flee including her friends. Some managed with success while others disappeared or assumed dead. Emma spent the war years confined in her house along with her mother and friend Leonie, stepping out only when required. When she lost Leonie, it broke her. After the war, she gradually picked up the pieces of her life and found meaning in lending a hand to those in need. In due course, she found contentment and closure too. 

Another subplot follows Friedrich, a poor nobleman from Germany who marries into an elite Austrian family.  Also, Sophie who with her mother managed to reach America and was spared the horrors of the war. She travels back to Vienna to track down her father. 

My Thoughts

Most of my World War II fiction has been limited to Great Britain or Germany. So a story set in Austria, whether a victim or a reluctant co-perpetrator of the war was thought-provoking. More appreciably the story is not just about the war but also dealt with the aftermath of it. The physical and emotional scars it left on the people. It is slightly slow in the middle but picks up pace after the war ends. Another thing to reflect on is the effect of war on the privileged class. Did it have any effect on their lifestyle?

The character of Emma is well sketched out and is by far my favourite. She is a loyal and true friend who hides her friend Leonie, a Jew despite the constant threat of getting caught. I could feel her grief and misery. I was transported right into her apartment doing the mundane work of washing and mending. Friedrich's character is not black or white but somewhere in between. He is not bad at heart but due to his circumstances, he does what he deems right for his survival. Soon this becomes his second nature. Even though he got several chances to redeem himself but his actions were always guided by his self-serving nature. 

It is a touching story that would tug at your heartstrings.  

Star Rating - 4/5

Recommend - Yes please!

The Vine of Desire (Anju and Sudha #2) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

 

Setting

The book is set in California, United States of America, where Anju is settled with her husband Sunil.

Storyline

Vine of desires continues where the first book (Sister of My Heart) left off after Sudha with her daughter travels to the US to live with/visit her cousin Anju. Sudha had left her marital home because her husband’s family was against the birth of a girl child. Anju had suffered a loss plunging her into an abyss. This creates a distance between her and Sunil. At the same time, Sunil is suffering from a double loss - of his child and his relationship with his wife. This rekindles his repressed feelings for his wife's cousin. Although Anju, Sudha and Sunil live together under the same roof, their world couldn't be more further apart. Each of them is fighting their insecurities, vulnerabilities and inner demons, struggling to deal with real life.

My thoughts

Even after reading not so good reviews on Goodreads, I read this book only because I had read the previous one - Sister of My Heart which was a decent read. A big mistake! I should have stopped at the first one. The big reveal at the end of the last book was pushed to the back of the shelf in this. It was referred to only once which seemed more like an afterthought. Everyone came across as extremely inconsiderate and wrapped up in themselves. The book starts on a miserable note and is full of it. At times I felt misery was seeping out of the book, making me miserable too. Honestly, reading it was emotionally draining. I would not recommend the book to anyone.

Star Rating - 1/5

Recommend - A big no!

The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Woods

 

Setting

The story alternates between two time periods- the 1940s and the current time that is 2021. Set in London during the time of the blitz when it was under constant threat of German bombing. Londoners were fleeing to the relative safety of the countryside to escape from the bombing and certain death. There was a scarcity of items of daily needs and food items were rationed which created a black market. In 2021, the story begins in New York and later moves to London.

Storyline 

The story in 2021 follows Ellie who lives in New York with her 80-year-old mother, Alice. Ellie is seeking her roots and history of maternal grandparents much against the wishes of her mother. She travels to London after she uncovers some shocking information in her mother's apartment. There she meets her mother's half-sister, Aunt Gillean who is also not eager to dig up the past. In the 1940s London, Nell lives modestly with her husband Arthur and daughter Alice. Arthur is a clockmaker and works at the Palace of Westminster, maintaining the clocks and also the Great Clock(Big Ben). He is an upright and diligent man. When their house gets bombed during the blitz, he is finally able to convince Nell to move to the countryside with their daughter. But then, he gets arrested and Nell falls headlong into the mystery behind his arrest. Nell finding the answers and Ellie uncovering the truth about her grandmother forms the crux of the story. 

My Thoughts

Both the timelines are very well interwoven and transitions between them are smooth. It's a perfect blend of historical fiction and espionage. It started slow but picked up momentum after Arthur's arrest. 

"History unfurled before her in a gorgeous tapestry of statues, paintings, robing rooms and thrones: remote and academic."

The description of historical London and in particular of Big Ben is very detailed and evocative. The way its inner workings has been described brings it alive in front of you. The state of down-at-the-heels London has been recounted vividly and makes you feel the helplessness of the Londoners. I especially enjoy stories with a female character as the central lead. Here there are two- Nell and Ellie. Ellie is a headstrong and independent woman. But I admired Nell as a woman. She is vulnerable yet spirited and determined. She does not cower after Arthur's arrest but instead was resolute in proving him innocent. The part I felt could have been given less attention was about all the evacuees in Nell's parent's home. All in all an engaging read.

Star Rating - 4/5

Recommend - Definitely 

Note - I received a free copy of the book for ARC review from Netgalley and Avon Books. However, all views expressed here are my own.

Join the Zoo Hullabaloo! by Jan Ormerod & Lindsey Gardiner

This is something I wanted to do for a long time. Being a passionate reader myself, I have always encouraged my little one to read more. It reduces their screen time and also helps in building their vocabulary and language skills. Also, it stimulates their imagination and curiosity. However, I have always felt a gap here. While there a million blogs out there recommending adult fiction, there are just not enough for children fiction/non-fiction. So here is my attempt to review children books suitable for different age groups.

Join the Zoo Hullabaloo!

                          

Join the Zoo Hullabaloo! is a vibrant lyrical rhyme that would compel you and your little one to jump to their feet and sing and move along with the lyrics. Kids can be encouraged to recreate animal movements. They can prowl like a lion, trot like a pony or flounce like a peacock. It is a fun way to make use of all the extra energy kids have.

It is a beautifully illustrated book. Lyrics appear to be part of illustrations which makes the book even more engaging. It is a book to read to a two-year-old and read along with a three-year-old.

Illustration - 4/5

Engagement Factor - 4/5

Overall Rating - 4/5

Age Group - 2+

An Encrypted Clue - The Math Kids Series by David Cole

An Encrypted Clue is the fourth book in The Math Kids Series. The story follows four fourth-graders - Stephanie, Catherine, Justin and Jordan. They are all part of a Math Club and represent their school in the district level math competition. They enjoy solving math puzzles. While researching the history of their town for a school project, Stephanie comes across some strange symbols in the margin of a library book. The kids use their maths skills to break the cypher which leads them to more clues. Alongside, is the mystery of the mansion on the hill and budget cuts that threaten to cancel the math competition. Everything gets neatly tied together in the end. 

The book reminded me of The Secret Seven series by Enid Blyton. The plot is absorbing with the right amount of intrigue. But the best part about the book is the use of maths in solving cyphers. It would get the kids interested in puzzles and encourage them to apply logical reasoning. Another thing that I liked was how pieces of general knowledge were made part of the story, such as the enigma machine, Elizabeth Smith, periodic table etc. The kids learn all this without even realising. The solution to all the math problems in the books is given in the appendix. And at the same time kids are encouraged to solve the problems by themselves. It is perfectly suited for 8-10-year-olds though I have a feeling that my math-loving 6 years old would love reading it with a little help from me. My only peeve with it is that graphics or illustrations were too few and far apart. They seemed to be forced and didn't gel with the plot. There was an excellent opportunity for graphics that complimented the writing given the storyline with codes and cyphers. Would certainly recommend it for middle graders.

Illustration  - 2/5

Engagement Factor - 4/5

Overall Rating - 3.5/5

Age Group - 8+

Note : The book was given as a free copy by Netgalley to review however the views are my own.

 

Sister of My Heart (Anju and Sudha #1) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

This is my second book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The first one being The Palace of Illusions, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Setting 

Sister of My Heart is set in Calcutta when old upper-caste families were held in high regard and young girls were discouraged from going out alone. 

Storyline

It's the story about Sudha-the beauty and Anju- the brains who were born in a well respected  Calcutta family. They are cousins, best friends and more so soul sisters. The story alternates between Anju and Sudha's perspective. They led a very sheltered life in the house full of women having lost their fathers even before they were born. They live with their mothers and pishi ma(father's sister). Anju and Sudha grow with their own set of different dreams but have unconditional love for each other. Always supporting and covering for each other. Anju is the ambitious one. Whereas, Sudha is a storyteller, always weaving fairy tales and expects life to be one too. When a secret about her past is revealed to Sudha, she feels that she is somehow indebted to Anju. She takes critical decisions of her life out of guilt and to right the wrongs done by her father. Later both of them get into arranged marriages with neither of them happy or contented. The book ends with the reunion of the sisters and with another secret in Sudha's heart.

My Thoughts

Though the story kept me engrossed, I didn't connect with either Sudha or Anju. At certain places, I couldn't grasp their reactions or actions. Anju appears to be mean in certain parts. Contrastingly, Sudha is depicted as the quintessential heroine willing to make sacrifices for her cousin's happiness. Overall a good read. Now waiting to see how the second book in the series turns out to be. 

Star Rating - 3/5

Recommend - Can give it a try.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J.Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book that will take you on a delightful journey into the enchanted world of Linus Baker and ostensibly dangerous children. Especially in today's dark and dreary times, it will give you an escape from your daily grind. I usually steer clear of fantasy fiction but picked this one up after reading some amazing reviews on Goodreads. And how befitting they proved to be and so much more.

Setting

The story is set in a fantasy world where a Department in Charge of Magical Youth(DICOMY) was required to safeguard those who were extraordinary. 

Storyline

Linus Baker worked for Department in Charge of Magical Youth(DICOMY) as a caseworker. He lived alone with only a cat named Calliope for company. He was asked by the Extremely Upper Management to travel to Marsyas Island and report about the orphanage and its master, Arthur Parnassus. He is asked because he presents an objective view without getting involved. But what he unearths there was something he could never envisage. He meets six dangerous children -Talia(gnome), Phee(a sprite), Theodore(a wyvern), Chauncey(a green blob), Sal(shapeshifting Pomeranian) and lastly Lucy/Lucifer(the antichrist). Despite the cautious approach, Linus and the kids gradually accept each other once they let their guards down. He also stumbles across Arthur's closely guarded secret. It gives a new dimension to the relationship between Linus and Arthur. 

My Thoughts 

Linus discovers friendship and love. He ends up learning important life lessons from unexpected sources. The kids with their distinctive traits are the life of this book. I loved their conversations with Linus. I don't want to delve any further without giving away the plot. In short, it's a story of acceptance. Accepting yourself as you are even though you don't fit into any socially acceptable and approved mould. Accepting others as they are without any preconceived prejudices. Go for it if you want a little cheer in your life. 

Star Rating - 5/5

Recommend - Go grab it now!!

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

 

The Bletchley Circle on Netflix piqued my interest in the female code breakers of Bletchley Park during World War II. It made me conversant with the existence of such unsung heroes and also the contribution of women in the Second World War. Thenceforth I have been hunting for books based in Bletchley Park. Rose Code fits the bill to a T, so I dived into it without second thoughts.

Setting

The story alternates between two time periods- 1939 to 1944 during  WW2 and 1947 with a countdown to the royal wedding of the future queen of Great Britain with Prince Philip of Greece. Kate Quinn has evocatively painted a word picture of the inner workings of Bletchley Park. People were assigned huts based on their capabilities and everything was on the need to know basis. Workers were not allowed to discuss or disclose the nature of their work to even their colleagues. These people worked relentlessly to break German codes to help Allied forces. 

Storyline

Mab Churt was a plain-speaking, tough as nails East Londoner who yearned to be a well-read lady married to a gentleman. She met Osla Kendall, a Canadian debutant on a train to Bletchley. Osla belongs to an affluent family with Lord Mountbatten as her godfather. She was out to disprove the silly deb label which she loathed. She was dating Prince Philip. Her character is based on Osla Benning, Prince Philip's first girlfriend who also worked at Bletchley Park. Mab and Osla were billets- mate and their landlady's daughter was Beth Finch. Beth was a twenty-four-year-old girl living with her parents. She was often called slow-witted and incessantly mentally abused by her mother. Osla and Mab encourage her to join Bletchley Park where she finds her real calling, the code-breaking. 

Advance to the year 1947,  the world was waiting with bated breath for the royal wedding and on the other hand, Beth was incarcerated in an asylum for over three years on charges of treason. Trying to keep herself sane, she was trying to figure out the traitor amongst her BP co-workers. She, Beth and Mab overcome their differences to nail the turncoat.

My Thoughts

The Rose Code is a story of the role of code breakers during WW2. It is a gripping tale with friendship at its heart, a story of love, betrayal and heartbreak. The writing holds your attention throughout and never slackens its pace. The characters are well-sketched out and leave a lasting impression. I was unable to put it down and breezed through it in no time. To all historical fiction buffs out there, this is a book to read. The Huntress by Kate Quinn is definitely next on my list.

Star Rating - 4.5/5

Recommend - A big yes!

The Faberge Secret by Charles Belfoure

The Faberge Secret is my second book by Charles Belfoure after The Paris Architect. So understandably the expectations were set very high.

Setting

The Fabergé secret at the onset establishes the Russian cultural and social scene during Tsar Nicholas's reign who believed that he had been ordained by God to rule over Russia.The opulent and lavish lifestyle of the Russian Imperial court and aristocracy has been vividly described with the royals indulging in balls, parades etc completely oblivious to grim reality. It shows the inception of the Russian Revolution and how and why seeds of Revolution were sown. It also shows the disparity between aristocrats and peasants, pogroms against Jews and their oppression.

Storyline

Along with all this, it is also a story about the friendship between Tsar Nicholas and Prince Dimitri, a love story of Dimitri and Katya. Prince Dimitri experiences the moral dilemma of either staying loyal to his friendship with Tsar or commit to the birth of the revolution which he truly believes in.

My Thoughts

It has been a dilemma for me too. I have been wavering between whether I loved the book or found it just about okay. Since I love historical fiction this one was right up my alley. Also, I have rarely read about Russian history in fiction so I completely lapped it up. The marvellous depiction of Russian architecture and royal opulence painted a vivid picture nearly bringing it to life. 

Contrarily, I felt for some reason the title was slightly misleading. Fabergé was somewhere in the background emerging here and there by way of eggs or other souvenirs, never really coming to fore. Also, the book took its time in establishing the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and miserable working condition of the poor but the end was abrupt which left me wanting

Star Rating - 3/5

Recommend - Yes (just for the story setting)

House Of Thieves by Charles Belfoure

Another splendid piece of work by Charles Belfoure. I immensely enjoyed The Paris Architect and Faberge Secret was also a good read. This one too is not far behind.

Setting

The story is set in New York in the late 1800s, the Gilded Age, wherein men dressed in tailored frock coats and women in beautiful dresses, society parties were a show of magnificent ostentation and source of enjoyment. It was the time when men in top hats drove broughams, hansoms and Victoria’s. During this period there was a clear distinction even amongst the upper class i.e. between old and new money. The old were called Knickerbockers, the descendants of Dutch founders of New Amsterdam (New York). They followed a rigid and stringent social code to be strictly adhered to. On the other hand were the nouveau class made up of people who had built their fortune from railroads, steel etc. They were often patronisingly referred to as parvenus by the so-called Knickerbocker aristocracy.

Storyline

John Cross, an architect is the main protagonist who belongs to this New York high society. His elder son George's gambling debts force him to do something that he considers morally reprehensible. Despite the initial hesitation, with time he finds the whole experience of planning the robberies exhilarating. Gradually his entire family starts leading a double life, away from their cocoon of entitlement and stifling social rules. To seek adventure, excitement and a sense of freedom Helen, Julia and Charlie cross the threshold of strict social code. This gives them the thrill of living life on the edge.

My Thoughts

Charles Belfoure has beautifully knitted architecture into the fabric of his plot. His elucidation of the architectural features of the era paints a vivid image. All the characters have their flaws. No one is portrayed as perfect which is very relatable. Even the main protagonist John Cross's character is not all-knowing but is delineated as an average architect who admires and learns from other contemporary architects. It's a book worth reading.

Star rating - 4/5

Recommend - Definitely