Maddie Day

Hello! First of all, I hope everyone is doing well in this uncertain time. It’s coming up on two months since my family and I have been sheltering in place. I’m a special education teacher’s aide, and with our schools closed, we’ve mainly been hanging out at home.

I haven’t been very active in the book blogging community lately, but I have been doing a lot of reading anyway. I’m not as inspired to review everything I read these days. Sometimes I just want to appreciate reading the book, admire the lovely cover, log it on Goodreads, and just move on to the next.

I’m trying to get a variety of reading material from a variety of places, like indie bookstores for paper books, the library for digital downloads, and Barnes & Noble for my Nook books. Of course, I still have many review books from NetGalley and Edelweiss, which I am so grateful for! I’ve just started reading Ruth Ware’s upcoming September release, ONE BY ONE, from Edelweiss. (I’ve also pre-ordered the signed hardcover from B&N, because I love Ruth Ware!!!)

For now, I will (probably) only be writing reviews for books I get from NetGalley, Edelweiss, or publishers. The rest I will include in a reading wrap-up post like this one, though I will only highlight books I gave 3 stars or higher.

So…here’s a look at what I’ve been reading lately (and didn’t review)! ♥ Take care.

CONJURE WOMEN
by Afia Atakora
★★★★★
(historical fiction, magical realism, american civil war)

This was the B&N Book Club’s April selection! I absolutely loved it. You can view the book club discussion with Afia Atakora on B&N’s Instagram HERE, though you should read the book first to avoid any spoilers. ♥

THE OTHER MRS.
by Mary Kubica
★★★★
(domestic suspense, psychological thriller, mystery)

This one was very close to being as good as THE GOOD GIRL (my favorite of Mary Kubica’s books). When I figured out the twist toward the end, I was a little nervous as to how it would be handled, but it was all good.

MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP
by Maddie Day
★★★★
(cozy mystery)

Belle (the parrot) is my all-time favorite cozy mystery pet. She’s hilarious! ♥

THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR
by Rebecca James
★★★★
(gothic suspense, historical fiction, dual time periods)

HILL WOMEN
by Cassie Chambers
★★★¾
(nonfiction, southern women, appalachia)

The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

THE RAVEN’S TALE is a fictionalized account of 17-year old Edgar Allan Poe and his turbulent relationship with Lenore, his muse. In this world, muses are real, physical beings, and they’re considered corrupt and dangerous by polite society. Lenore comes to Edgar at a particularly vulnerable time in his life, at odds with his foster father and leaving for university. Edgar’s passion for poetry and dreams of making a living as a writer are in sharp contrast to the wishes of his practical and cruel foster father. Will Lenore save Edgar’s creative spark, or will she be snuffed out forever(more)?

I enjoyed that this book imagined what a teenage Poe would have been like, and how his “muse” buried the seeds in his mind for many of his greatest works. The plot struggled in parts, moving slowly especially during his time at university, though the writing was lovely and atmospheric. I was also hoping for more explanation of what the muses actually were. Living spirits, maybe? As a fan of Poe, there was much to appreciate in this well-researched novel. Borrowed from the library.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A group of friends meet at a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate New Year’s Eve. One of them ends up dead, and another is the murderer. But who’s dead, and whodunit? The story flips back and forth between characters and before and after the murder, until the truth is slowly revealed.

I loved the premise of this book, however I struggled to stay engaged. There were many POVs presented, and their voices were so similar it was hard to keep track. The whole group of them gave off a snobby, shallow vibe, so it was hard to care what happened to them. Their drama dragged on too long. I suppose my two favorite characters were the lodge employees, Heather and Doug. They were easier to sympathize with.

While not for me, THE HUNTING PARTY has gotten a lot of great buzz. Please check out the other reviews! Borrowed from the library.

Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Westham, Massachusetts, is a delightful tourist town on Cape Cod, and home to bike shop owner Macenzie “Mac” Almeida. After book club one foggy evening, Mac stumbles across a dead body very near her home. Unfortunately evidence found at the scene makes her brother a prime suspect. The pressure is on Mac to clear her brother’s name without interfering in the official investigation.

I enjoyed this first book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery. The Cape Cod setting was lovely, and the wonderful descriptions made me want to visit. Mac was a relatable, no nonsense protagonist, and I loved that she lived in a cozy tiny home! The murder mystery was not an easy one to figure out. Mac’s book group didn’t play a big role in solving the murder, but I felt like we got a solid introduction to all the members. I’m looking forward to the next Cozy Capers mystery! Purchased from Barnes & Noble.

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