Devi Nair
In this stylish whodunnit, you become the detective, making the choices that guide the investigation. It's a clever reimagination of a classic murder mystery, told through a “choose-your-own-adventure” format that's rarely used so well in adult fiction. Each decision branches the story in different directions some lead you closer to the truth, while others, not so much.[b:Murder in Tinseltown: A Hollywood Era Choose-Your-Own-Story Mystery 214464785 Murder in Tinseltown A Hollywood Era Choose-Your-Own-Story Mystery Max Nightingale https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1722897529l/214464785.SY75.jpg 220741246] is also a quick read, though you may find yourself, like me, returning for a second or third round. During my third round, I stumbled upon a hidden storyline that unravels a smaller mystery tucked inside the main plot. That felt like a secret bonus level, and I loved it.I'm genuinely appreciative of the creative ambition behind this book, and perhaps even more so after meeting [a:Jonathan Whitelaw 7348512 Jonathan Whitelaw https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1680121445p2/7348512.jpg] at MOTIVE 2025. He graciously signed my copy of Murder in Tinseltown and during one of his talks, shared how painful it was to write in this “choose-your-own-adventure” style.As someone who has dabbled in writing myself, I understood what he meant. Structuring an interactive mystery, especially one with multiple possible endings, plot threads, and clues, is a unique kind of storytelling challenge. It's like building a puzzle with no fixed center, and it takes a different level of planning and commitment.Knowing this made the experience of reading the book even more rewarding. It saddens me, honestly, to see so many negative reviews floating around when it's clear how much effort, thought, and passion went into creating something this bold and immersive. While I understand that this kind of format may not appeal to everyone, I personally found it refreshing, engaging, and incredibly clever. And I want to be a voice that celebrates that.This review was originally posted on my blog — where I share more bookish thoughts, mystery recs, and interactive fiction finds. If you're curious, here's my link
The story was originally written in Japanese and carries a unique cultural rhythm. The premise is poetic. A chance to go back or forward in time just briefly (before the coffee gets cold), to say something unsaid or see someone for one last time. It is a beautiful idea that will resonate with most readers.
That said, I'll be honest, I struggled with this one. The translation made the prose feel stilted and disconnected at times. The rhythm of the language didn't always flow naturally, and it pulled me out of the story more than once. In fact, I had to try listening to the this book twice before I was able to finish it. My personal tendency towards clarity and polished writing made it hard for me to stay engaged.
However, I am glad I pushed through those hurdles because the emotional payoff was worth it. If you can look past the language quirks, and focus on Arina Li's narration (the audiobook narrator) the stories do find a way to resonate.
This book contains four interconnected stories. Each story explores a different kind of relationship. These include a pair of almost star-crossed lovers, a husband and wife, two estranged sisters, and a mother and her unborn daughter. All of these stories are deeply emotional, and they gently pull you into moments of joy, grief, longing, and peace.
A quietly powerful book that stays with you after the last cup is poured.
Check out my other reviews on my blog Views She Writes
There is something quietly enchanting about this book that goes beyond spells and potions. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a story of belonging. It's about being different, being guarded, being tired of shrinking yourself, and then finding the courage to open your heart, even when you are terrified.
As someone who doesn't often feel like they “fit”, the found family element resonated deeply with me. Mika's transformation from being a careful outsider, to a beloved part of the chosen family, was both magical and breathtakingly real.
This one line below in this book absolutely undid me:
“No, you absolutely should not,” said Terracotta at once. “You can't have her. She's ours.”
There is so much gentleness in this book – gentleness in the way grief is handled, int he way love is shown, in the way characters allow each other to grow and evolve. This book may be labeled as cozy fantasy, but it carries with it a quiet emotional truth and personal resonance, especially for those of us still trying to find our found family.
There are a few more quotes that I would like to share, not only to highlight how beautifully Sangu has written it, but also to emphasize how emotionally Samara MacLaren (the audiobook narrator) has captured it. These tugged straight at my heart.
“But it was more than that. It was peace, the kind Mika was beginning to see she had never known... She hadn't realized just how heavy her mask had been until she'd discovered what it was to live without it.”
“It's a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved. It's closing your eyes, stepping off a ledge into nothing, and trusting that you'll fly rather than fall.”
“We wanted you to know, we want you to stay. Not just for now. Always. So we're leaving a window open so that if you ever want to come home, you'll know you'll always be wanted.”
Check out my complete blog on my website - Views She Writes
Also, don't miss my thoughts on the book while I was in the middle of reading it - Currently Reading: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The Mistletoe Mystery is a short but thoroughly enjoyable return to the world of Molly Grey, her Gran, and now with a pleasant addition of Juan Manuel. Set in the Holiday season, this novella is a quick listen (just 3 hours on an Audiobook). I liked this one better than the Mystery Guest. Nita Prose brought back the Molly that I loved in The Maid, and that made all the difference for me.
Molly's personality, with all her quirks and flaws, is handled with warmth and care in this book. I appreciated how Nita allowed her to stumble through all the clues and make a literal (and incorrect) assumption, causing her to come to a conclusion, which we as readers (or a listener, like me) know to be incorrect. But it was done without making her look foolish, either by us, or by her friends and family, which made me fall in love with her all over again.
This novella recaptured what I enjoyed most about The Maid. The quiet, thoughtful charm and the unique way in which Molly sees the world makes a come back in this story.
I listened to the audiobook and Lauren Ambrose captures the soul of Molly perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this one.
Now I am genuinely excited to check out her next one - The Maid's Secret.
Check out my other reviews on my blog Views She Writes
Some books gently nudge you along; others grab you and refuse to let go. Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz firmly belongs to the latter. It demanded my full attention, and every time I had to put it down, it took real willpower. I even stayed up late just to finish it, completely caught in the clever mystery.
The story flows effortlessly, with Horowitz striking a perfect balance. His descriptions of places and characters are vivid but never overwhelming. You get just enough detail to picture the scene without feeling bogged down, and the pacing keeps you hooked throughout.
However, the ending felt a bit off. Not disappointing, but it suddenly shifted onto a different track. A couple of late plot twists, while entertaining, seemed unnecessary. The story might have been just as strong without them, though I appreciated the realism they added. Life’s stories don’t always end neatly, and sometimes wrapping up a mystery on your own can be oddly satisfying.
What stood out most was how completely immersed I became in this world. It was genuinely difficult to stop reading. Despite the ending not being the book’s strongest point, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. That slightly “incomplete” feeling reminded me that real life doesn’t always resolve perfectly either, and there’s a kind of beauty in that.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.
You know that feeling you get when you open a book and instantly get swept up into a sugary rush of quirky adventure? That’s the vibe here from page one. Chris Grabenstein doesn’t ease you in. He launches you straight into Luigi’s world, where curiosity is contagious, and trouble is just a side effect of dreaming big. Each chapter delivers a combo of wild antics and genuine heart. Even when I was chuckling at the wild mishaps, I found myself pausing at the quieter moments, the ones packed with hope and stubborn optimism.
But what really got me was watching Luigi double down on everything that made him different, despite the world’s steady (and sometimes not-so-subtle) nudge towards the “normal” path. There’s something so relatable about rooting for the kid who won’t color inside the lines (literally!). Grabenstein reminds us that real creativity means keeping your inner child alive and taking risks; even if your neighbors, teachers, or parents think you’ve missed the plot entirely.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.
DallerGut Dream Department Store is a delightful, imaginative novel offering a fresh take on dreams. It’s a quirky, playful concept with surprisingly thoughtful depth to the story.
What hooked me most was how the story treats dreams as a meaningful part of our emotional lives. Nightmares aren’t just scary, they become tools to face fears and process emotions. The idea of having a glimpse into your future via a dream, as a solution to a creative block, or pre-booking a dream for a loved one to be shared after you pass on, are just so beautifully written and emotionally captivating.
Translator Sandy Joosun Lee said it right when she said you would become a fan of the story the moment you start reading. Of course, the way Shannon Tyo brought Penny and the other characters to life by her narration deserves just as much credit as the translator and the author. These three wonderful women have brought a masterpiece alive for us to cherish.
The next book in the series is out now and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.
I picked up [b:Detective Aunty 217223370 Detective Aunty (Kausar Khan Investigates, #1) Uzma Jalaluddin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1729678544l/217223370.SY75.jpg 223715659] as part of my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I ended up finding a new favorite. This discovery was not just in books but also in characters and authors too. [a:Uzma Jalaluddin 17116611 Uzma Jalaluddin https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1546567344p2/17116611.jpg], best known for her romantic fiction, makes an impressive debut in crime writing. You'd never guess it's her first mystery novel.Kausar isn't your typical detective. She's nosy, over protective, and always in everyone's business. Generally, the traits that make a perfect “aunty”, but also the ones that made me a bit unsure about her. But as the story unfolds, her fierce love and sharp intuition shone through, blurring the line between overbearing and heroic. By the end, I was completely rooting for her.I also have to highlight the contribution of Deepti Gupta to this book. I listened to the audio version and her voice fit Kausar Khan perfectly. Deepti brought out Kausar's personality so vividly that I could picture the entire story like a movie playing in my head. Uzma's writing and Deepti's voice together brought Kausar alive for me, and I love both of them for that.And then I had the chance to meet [a:Uzma Jalaluddin 17116611 Uzma Jalaluddin https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1546567344p2/17116611.jpg] herself at Motive 2025: The Crime Authors Festival in Toronto, and that sealed it for me. She's funny, articulate, and incredibly warm. Knowing that she created Kausar Khan made me appreciate the character even more. Now that I've met both the fictional detective aunty and her real-world creator, it feels personal. I'm officially invested, and can't wait for the next Kausar Khan book.
Vera Wong is an all-time favorite for me — not just because I love her, but because my mom loves her too. That's a rare overlap, and something special. In fact, other than the Vera Wong series, I can't think of any other book that sparks such shared enthusiasm between us. There's something incredibly heartwarming about being able to talk about Vera and her antics with my mother, and that alone makes this series precious to me.After falling in love with the first book, I went back and listened to the audiobook — just to fully experience the brilliance of Vera's voice brought to life. Eunice Wong, the narrator, captures Vera's personality so perfectly that I could hear her speaking right in my living room. Combined with Jesse Q. Sutanto's narrative magic, Vera bursts off the page — confident, nosy, blunt, and utterly irresistible.So, when book two came out — Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man — I couldn't get my hands on it fast enough. And I'm thrilled to say, it did not disappoint.In true Vera style, she finds herself (very intentionally) at the center of yet another murder investigation. She may not be a detective by profession, but her relentless curiosity and uniquely sharp instincts keep her steps ahead of everyone — often to the exasperation of her “future daughter-in-law,” Officer Selena Gray. The mystery this time feels a little more sinister, but Vera, armed with her bottomless wisdom, food that comforts the soul, and the most soothing cups of tea, handles it in her own unforgettable way.What I especially love in this installment is Vera's found family — this time, a group she gathers into her world rather than one that stumbles into hers. Watching her care for them (in her overbearing yet loving way) is such a treat, and it gives the story emotional weight alongside the cozy humor.Vera is bold. She's strong. She's annoying (in the best way). She's loving in a very specific, aunty way. And she is unforgettable.I will always love Vera. I'll always root for her. And I'm already counting the days until her next case.Thank you, [a:Jesse Q. Sutanto 19278992 Jesse Q. Sutanto https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1564130716p2/19278992.jpg], for giving us this wonderful, chaotic, loving force of nature to laugh with, be humbled by, and sometimes be terrified of.If you enjoyed this review, be sure to check out more of my thoughts and recommendations over on my blog - Views She Writes, where I regularly share in-depth reviews and insights on similar topics. Your feedback and discussions are always welcome—hope to see you there!
This book had an interesting and original premise. I appreciated the quiet magic and the theme of found family. It felt different, gentler than most fantasy I usually read. That said, it didn't fully pull me in. The pacing dropped at times, and I struggled to stay engaged. It's a slow-burn story, with more attention on atmosphere and emotional undercurrents than action or plot twists.
It's not quite in my comfort genre, but I can see how readers who enjoy cozy, low-stakes fantasy with introspective characters would find it comforting and warm.
