Book Reviews

A mysterious small-town murder mystery balanced by deliciously described gooey grilled cheese sandwiches and delectable cheese platters, Beth Cato’s Cheddar Luck Next Time is a cozy mystery novel that is casual, light-hearted, and very easy to read. Besides its hallmark interest in cheeses of all kinds, the novel also provides great neurodivergent representation (at least from what I limited information I’ve learned from those on the spectrum) as well as trace elements of chick lit/literary fiction. I’ve previously realized that the cozy mystery genre isn’t for me, so this wasn’t necessarily my favorite overall read, but I picked this up hoping for lots of cheese highlights and Cheddar Luck Next Time did not disappoint! Taking place in the fictional, small rural town of Foghorn, Bird Nichols moves into her grandma’s house that she inherits following her disappearance and death half a year ago. Despite having limited time together when she was growing up, Bird has fond memories of her grandmother who was a part-time instigator, a part-time community vigilante much to the ire of some of Foghorn’s other residents. Bringing her budding cheese plate business with her, the story sees Bird exploring Foghorn and rediscovering her grandma’s lasting impression on…

Like my other reviews for very popular books with numerous reviews, I’ll be skipping my editorial-style intro and go right into my general thoughts and impressions. I really liked Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, particularly the whodunnit mystery investigation and the way the story effortlessly shifts suspicions and new reveals across its large cast of characters. Full of excellent twists and featuring a focused narrative that doesn’t ever stray too far from its core premise and mystery, I thought it was a solid mystery thriller and fully understand why its popularity contributed to its pick-up for a Netflix adaptation (also on my to-watch list). As a YA novel, the book is very easy to read and strikes a tone that balances its YA appeal without feeling too juvenile or silly. Although the book’s language, content, and character flaws aren’t overly graphic considering its intended readership, the story doesn’t shy away from addressing material that can be considered triggering (as with most crime books, sensitive readers be sure to check your trigger warnings). While its two main characters Pip and Ravi are decidedly high school and collegiate age respectively, the novel doesn’t treat the reader like a sheltered…

Imagine taking loose elements of Jurassic Park, bioengineer some crazy science fiction dinosaurs crossed with nuclear reactors, multiverse the research center onto an alien planet, and finally infuse the story with geeky pop culture references and endless popcorn entertainment. If that sounds wild, I’ve done a great job at recreating the feel of John Scalzi’s refreshingly fun The Kaiju Preservation Society. Light-hearted, comically giddy, and always unapologetically nerdy, for fans of the pop-cultured inspired side of science fiction, this novel is an absolute romp! Acknowledged by Scalzi himself as not being the most nuanced or mature novel of his works, The Kaiju Preservation Society is a fast-paced joyride and a breath of fresh air in a genre that can often take itself too seriously. This novel sees certified geek Jamie Gray, a recently fired marketing member whose master’s thesis was on the bioengineering in science fiction culture, recruited into a secretive international research program following an uber eats-style delivery gig at the height of the Covid19 pandemic. Yes, that intro alone should give you a good idea of how gleefully prodding and casually self-aware the story is shooting to be. Many prototype vaccines, hrs on the plane, and a crash…

A cute and refreshing take on the jaded romantics premise, First-Time Caller is a near perfect contemporary romance novel that should be a required read for all sappy romance fans, end of this review, Jeff signing off. Just kidding on the review part but all joking aside, B.K. Borison’s First-Time Caller is a masterclass example of an excellent contemporary romance novel that’s solid across the board. Featuring a fun and unique premise, charming and well-developed main characters, and lowkey great comedic chops, this book seems to have everything pitched just right. However, what sets First-Time Caller apart from the rest of the crowded contemporary romance genre is its charming honesty and spot-on relatability with the feelings and doubts its romance-adverse characters experience. “It feels like every time I get my hopes up for something good, reality comes out swinging. I don’t know how to be a hopeful person anymore. It’s easier not to be.” While Borison’s prose isn’t the most lyrical or poetic style I’ve read, the biggest highlight of her work is undoubtedly the amazing dialogue and reflections presented in the story. A jaded grumpy man complimented by an honest hopeless romantic is common territory, but right from Aiden’s…

In 1902 at 7/7 Marchmont Crescent in Edinburgh, there is a sophisticated, yet elderly tabby cat named Grimalkin who spends his days observing the estate’s owner Mr. Calvert and his devoted maid Eilidah. Full of aches, pains and an itchy patch caused by fleas, one morning Grimalkin takes his last breath and is greeted by the mythical Cat-sith who informs him that as a cat, he has nine lives. Of those nine lives, cats have three lives when they stay, three when they stray, and three when they play. Having spent his first life “staying” and being cared for by Eilidah, Alex Howard’s The Ghost Cat takes the reader along on Grimalkin’s next eight ghostly lives and observational visits at 7/7 Marchmont Crescent and its various occupants over the course of the next one hundred and twenty years. Quietly curious and casually unhurried, The Ghost Cat is a unique historical fiction novel written from the perspective of a senior inquisitive cat that is simultaneously light-hearted while also being thought-provoking. While the title The Ghost Cat and its premise gives the book a fantasy sound at a first glance, the novel is instead almost entirely a historical fiction book with very…