A Book A Week

What was the last book you read that left you wanting more? For me, it was Nita Prose’s remarkable debut mystery, The Maid. I was instantly captivated by Molly, the meticulous maid who unexpectedly became the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Her distinctive personality, the engaging whodunit, and the theme of the strength of a chosen family made this novel one of the most heartfelt and humorous reads I’ve read this year. I was so eager for more, in fact, that I immediately picked up the next book in Prose’s series, The Mystery Guest.

Molly Gray has risen to become the Head Maid at the prestigious Regency Grand Hotel, overcoming numerous personal and professional challenges. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to etiquette, she has instilled in her team the importance of restoring each guest’s room to a state of perfection. Though her world was shaken when she discovered a murdered guest last year, Molly has since moved on, now enjoying the career of her dreams, a loving partner, and a robust support system she thought she’d lost after her beloved Gran’s passing.

Her world is shaken again when the renowned mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe unexpectedly dies in the hotel’s tea room. As Molly finds herself at the center of another murder investigation, she begins to suspect that the key to solving this case might be hidden in her past. Memories of her childhood working alongside her grandmother in the eccentric Grimthorpe mansion come flooding back. With the hotel under intense scrutiny, Molly must piece together the clues from her past to uncover the killer before time runs out.

The Mystery Guest sees Nita Prose deliver a captivating continuation of her story that dazzles and delights. Prose weaves the narrative through alternating past and present sections, gradually revealing details to the reader and offering small glimpses of a larger picture that eventually comes together in a satisfying whole. Everything I loved about the first book is here—Molly’s unique personality, a fantastic supporting cast that rallies around her, a puzzling murder mystery waiting to be unraveled, and a perfect blend of heart and humor.

Still, this is more than just a rehash of what came before. Prose expands Molly’s story, offering more profound insights into her past and illuminating what drives her in the present. The mystery in this installment is even more intricate and fulfilling than in the first novel, making for a page-turner from start to finish. A shocking personal revelation in the epilogue hints at even more intriguing tales in store for our favorite maid. Once again, The Mystery Guest left me eager for more from Nita Prose. Fortunately, a holiday-themed novella featuring Molly will be released later this year, keeping us eager fans satisfied until the third novel drops next year. I’ll be first in line to devour both.

For more information, visit the author’s website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 64)

I’ve just returned from a weeklong Caribbean cruise filled with rest, relaxation, fun, and, of course, plenty of reading. As we sailed from one stunning tropical destination to the next, I couldn’t help but think about the tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes to ensure every passenger enjoyed their vacation. The ship’s crew, from kitchen staff to housekeepers and everyone in between, dedicated their days to serving their guests, and I felt incredibly grateful for their efforts. It seemed fitting, then, that I was reading Nita Prose’s debut novel, The Maid. The book takes a classic murder mystery and tells it from the perspective of one of those essential workers whose presence often goes unnoticed, making for a wonderfully unexpected hero.

Molly takes immense pride in her work, a value instilled by her grandmother, who raised her after her mother left. Molly’s unique personality, likely placing her somewhere on the neurodivergence spectrum, has always been nurtured by Gran’s loving guidance. Under her care, Molly learned to embrace life fully, dedicating herself to every task with unwavering commitment. Her meticulous attention to detail, passion for cleanliness, and proper etiquette make her ideally suited for her role as a maid at the luxurious Regency Grand Hotel. Molly excels at returning each room to a "state of perfection" with the utmost discretion.

When her Gran passed away a few months ago, Molly’s carefully ordered life began to unravel. Struggling to process her grief, she sought refuge in the familiar routine of her work, finding comfort in cleaning the guests' rooms. But her fragile sense of stability is shattered when she enters the suite of the wealthy and infamous Charles Black, a regular at the hotel, only to find it in disarray. As she peers further into the room, she discovers Mr. Black lying lifeless in his bed. Molly's unusual demeanor quickly makes her the prime suspect in the eyes of the police, thrusting her into a web of death and deception that she’s unprepared to navigate. Can she uncover the real culprit before it’s too late?

I was immediately captivated by Nita Prose's story, thanks to Molly's charming and quirky character. Prose turns Molly's peculiarities into strengths, illustrating that there's a place for everyone in this world if we just embrace their differences. Molly’s literal-mindedness and naivety offer her a unique perspective, making her an unexpectedly original hero in a classic murder mystery. While the mystery is relatively straightforward, Prose adds a last-minute twist that genuinely surprised me. The Maid is a debut brimming with humor, heart, and a gripping murder investigation. I've already started the next book in the series and can't wait to delve further into Molly’s world.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 63)

Sometimes, a book captures the spirit of the times, perfectly reflecting the emotions and experiences of humanity at that moment. In the fall of 2020, as the world grappled with the uncertainty and fear brought on by the pandemic, the threat of COVID-19 was overwhelming. We watched helplessly as this invisible virus upended our lives, changing them forever. The worst part was that we could not do anything but hope to stay safe. Tragically, many lost their lives before a vaccine was developed, and we slowly began to adjust to our new normal.

Rumaan Alam's novel Leave the World Behind was released that October and quickly captivated readers around the globe. The story of two families forced to coexist under one roof as the world around them spiraled into chaos mirrored our new reality and resonated deeply with readers. As is often the case, I avoided reading the novel during its initial hype, only recently rediscovering it on my shelf. I started it eager to see if the story still had the same impact as during that unprecedented year.

Amanda and Clay are eager for a getaway. They’ve rented a luxurious Airbnb in a secluded part of Long Island, far from the stress of the city. Along with their teenage son and daughter, the couple plans to spend the next few days relaxing and unwinding, free from the burdens of their everyday lives. But little do they know that everything they’re trying to escape is about to intrude on their vacation, starting with a knock on the door on their very first night.

When Amanda and Clay open the door, they find an older couple, Ruth and G.H., who claim to be the owners of the house. Why are they here? The couple is clearly distressed, explaining that a massive power outage has hit the city. They've arrived at their country house in search of their own safe haven. But can Amanda and Clay trust them? With no way to verify their story—since phone and internet services have gone out, and the power is soon to follow—they have little choice but to let Ruth and G.H. in, becoming reluctant housemates in an increasingly uncertain situation.

A growing sense of uneasiness permeates each page of Leave the World Behind. Rumaan Alam crafts a narrative where characters are thrust together by sheer circumstance, generating interpersonal drama that echoes the outside world's chaos. As I read, I couldn't help but recall the days of quarantine, confined within the walls of my home with little certainty about what the future held. Even years later, that lingering anxiety haunts me. Alam captures this feeling brilliantly, weaving it into the plot and the characters themselves.

Tensions simmer between the two couples, divided by age and race, adding an extra layer of mistrust that fuels the mystery of what’s happening in the world. Why has the power gone out? Why are flamingos flying in the sky? And what was that deafening noise that shattered the windows? Answers are elusive, but that’s not the novel's purpose. Alam invites us to question everything, knowing full well that drawing conclusions may lead us astray. While this approach may yield mixed reactions from readers, I can see why this story has resonated so deeply with many. We lived through a unique moment in time that left us with more questions than answers. Leave the World Behind offers a chance to reflect on that experience through the lens of fiction, providing a sense of catharsis that only a well-crafted story can deliver.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 62)

Casey McQuiston first captured my heart with their debut novel, Red, White, and Royal Blue. I was completely enamored by the story of the American President's son falling in love with the British Prince. The cleverly plotted forbidden romance, along with a diverse and brilliantly crafted supporting cast, made the world feel incredibly real. Naturally, I eagerly anticipated more from McQuiston, but their next book, One Last Stop, didn’t quite meet my high expectations. McQuiston returns now with another new novel, The Pairing, a globe-trotting second-chance romance.

Kit and Theo have known each other since childhood. As best friends, their bond eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship. However, their romance fell apart during a trip to Europe, culminating in a nasty breakup on a plane that ended any chance of a future together. Part of the fallout included canceling a planned European food and wine tour. They went their separate ways, left with nothing but a voucher to reschedule the nonrefundable tour.

Four years later, Kit and Theo are living completely separate lives. Theo returned to the US, working as a craft cocktail mixologist while studying to become a sommelier. Kit stayed in Europe, attended pastry school, and became a pastry chef in a world-class Paris restaurant. The wounds of their past relationship have started to heal as they focus on their individual careers and casual relationships. But when they both decide to redeem their food and wine tour voucher at the last possible moment, Kit and Theo are suddenly thrust back into each other’s lives.

There’s a lot happening in The Pairing that should have made me enjoy it. Casey McQuiston forces her protagonists into a second chance at love by placing them on a weeks-long tour, where they have no choice but to interact. Theo knows wine, and Kit knows food. It's a perfect match, leading to the pair coming together naturally during this food and wine expedition. McQuiston's novels have always been inclusive, and this one is no exception. Both characters are pansexual, and one is revealed to be nonbinary. I loved how McQuiston effortlessly switched to using neutral pronouns for this character after the revelation. It truly is that simple, and it baffles me why or how anyone could have an issue with using someone’s preferred pronouns.

Unfortunately, that’s where the positives ended for me. Kit and Theo decide to challenge each other to see who can sleep with the most people during their tour. This premise felt contrived and out of character for them. The competition aspect seemed off and made the plot feel repetitive. Each new section was another city, filled with more descriptions of meals and the sexual conquests of the main characters with the ever-willing locals. This pattern persisted for most of the book, and by three-quarters of the way through, I was just ready for the story to end. 

Most disappointing, though, were the main characters themselves. All their troubles stemmed from a simple problem: they didn’t talk to each other. Miscommunication caused their breakup and continued to hamper their supposedly rekindled feelings for each other. Ultimately, The Pairing features a clever setup that never fully comes together into an emotionally satisfying whole. While I appreciate McQuiston's knack for writing diverse characters into romances, I’m starting to think their debut was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that may not be captured again.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 61)

Childhood trauma is inevitable, though its impact varies for each individual. Stella Hudson's trauma, stemming from losing her mother to drug addiction, has led her to a career as an attorney specializing in child advocacy. Her latest case involves nine-year-old Rose Barclay. Rose's parents, Ian and Beth, are in the midst of a divorce, and Stella has been called in to determine Rose's final custody. Both parents have agreed to abide by Stella's decision as a neutral third party. During her investigation, Stella gets to know the parents, Ian's mother, Harriet, who lives with the family, and, of course, young Rose.

Divorce isn't the only dark shadow over the Barclay family. Rose's young nanny, Tina, recently met a tragic end, falling from the third-story window of the family home and plummeting to her death. Rose witnessed this event and has been so traumatized that she hasn't spoken a word since. Beth was equally impacted, developing a phobia of glass that has led the family to replace all the windows with plexiglass. Ian was affected in a more personal way. Before Tina's death, he had been involved in a passionate affair with her. The investigation into Tina's fall found no obvious sign of foul play, but the question lingers: was the young nanny pushed? If so, who was responsible? Was it the father, Ian, or the scorned mother, Beth? Or, most disturbingly, could the quiet young Rose be the one responsible for the tragedy?

Sarah Pekkanen has a knack for crafting page-turning thrillers centered on compelling family dramas, and her latest book, House of Glass, is no exception. After enjoying her previous standalone thriller, Gone Tonight, I was eager to dive into her newest release and was thrilled to receive both a physical and audio copy from her publisher. Pekkanen skillfully plays with genre conventions, using familiar tropes to present tantalizing red herrings. I'll admit, I thought I had the plot figured out, only to be surprised by an unexpected twist at the end.

House of Glass hooked me from the start, drawing me into the mystery of a mute child whose perspective may hold the key to the truth. This irresistible puzzle kept me reading non-stop. I had noted some uneven pacing in Pekkanen's previous novel, but House of Glass showed no such inconsistencies. It's sheer fun, popcorn reading at its finest—slightly over the top but thoroughly enjoyable.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 60)

Over the past two years, my family has celebrated several weddings. First, my brother married his bride, a beautiful event that concluded their extended engagement due to COVID-19 and their pursuit of PhDs. The following fall, my sister-in-law had her own wedding, an out-of-town bash that was both a fantastic party and a heartfelt ceremony, bringing both smiles and tears to many eyes in the crowd. Reflecting on these events, I was struck by the vast mix of emotions that weddings bring. They are celebrations of love, commitment, and the merging of two families. However, they are also stressful, particularly for those planning and ensuring everything goes off without a hitch. In her newest novel, The Wedding People, Alison Espach delves into the complexity of these celebrations, crafting a story that explores this mix of emotions through striking commentary, humor, and good old-fashioned storytelling.

The Cornwall Inn is renowned for its pristine condition, prime location, and hosting the most luxurious weddings. Nestled in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island, the hotel and its staff excel at ensuring every event goes off without a hitch. This makes it the ideal venue for twenty-eight-year-old Lila's big day. She has meticulously planned every detail of her six-day celebration, knowing that a girl only gets one chance at the perfect wedding. Friends and family have arrived, and the festivities are set to begin.

Phoebe is depressed. There's no denying that the past year has been the worst of her life. Infertility, infidelity, divorce, and now the death of her cat have brought her to this point. She arrives at the Cornwall Inn with no bags, not planning to check out. Phoebe has sadly concluded that her life should end here, and she might as well do it in a luxurious hotel. As she enters the hotel lobby, she is immediately mistaken for one of the wedding guests. After all, everyone else is here for the celebration. She is soon roped into the festivities, leading to a chance encounter with the bride. Phoebe is the one scenario Lila didn't plan for. As the two begin to confide in each other, their unexpected meeting starts to reshape the path of both their lives.

I first encountered Alison Espach's writing through her 2022 novel Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance. That novel dealt with the sudden loss of a child from the perspective of her younger sister. Espach's ability to blend a coming-of-age story with contemplations of grief and a touch of humor made it one of my favorite reads of the year. Naturally, I was eager to read her latest novel and gladly accepted an audio copy from her publisher.

The Wedding People takes the idea of the contrasting emotions among wedding participants and maximizes it to the extreme. On one hand, we have Lila, the blushing bride, eager to start her happily ever after. On the other, Phoebe has lived a life that proves happily ever after is a myth; she's ready to end it all. By combining these characters, Espach explores the ups and downs that life can bring, delving into complex subjects such as suicide, death, infertility, divorce, and depression.

This book won't be for everyone, and I can see many choosing to avoid it purely because of the subject matter. For me, though, I appreciated the way Espach approached heavy topics with humor, grace, and zero judgment. If we could all do the same, the world would be a better place. The Wedding People is a summer read that dares to give readers something to ponder. Like her previous work, this one will no doubt be one of my favorite reads of the year.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 59)