*No Spoilers from books one and two in the Jaipur Trilogy*
In Book One, “The Henna Artist” we were introduced to the vivid sights and smells of India,*No Spoilers from books one and two in the Jaipur Trilogy*
In Book One, “The Henna Artist” we were introduced to the vivid sights and smells of India, as we met Lakshmi, the most requested Henna Artist in the pink city of Jaipur, and learned about her skills, including the polite but calculated negotiations that allowed her to flourish in her trade.
Book Two, “The Secret Keeper of Jaipur” the story continues 12 years later with her protégé, Malik, who has taken an apprenticeship interning at the Jaipur Palace, whose latest project is a State of the Art Cinema, which doesn’t go as planned.
And, in Book Three-the final chapter of the trilogy, “The Perfumist of Paris”the spotlight is now on Lakshmi’s younger sister, Radha, who is now thirty-two and living in 1974 Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters, Shanti and Asha.
When her friend’s grandfather offered her a job at his parfumerie, she quickly discovered that she had a gift for matching the “right” fragrance for each customer who walked through the door, sensing not only what would work with their own essence but also intuitively knowing what they wanted it for.
I enjoyed learning about the processes and it made me wonder what she would choose for me. What would be my “signature scent”?
Despite not having a chemistry degree, Radha is now a lab assistant to Delphine Silberman, a master perfumer at the House of Yves, in Paris, and rising up the ranks much to the chagrin of her husband who would prefer that she would be happy being a “stay at home” wife and mother.
She has come a long way from the lost 13 year old we met in book one, full of regrets and sorrow and the trilogy comes full circle as she tries to balance her love for her career with her love of being a mother.
She will have to hold her own against her better educated adversaries, navigate a relationship with a judgmental mother in law, and do so with only her close friend, Mathilde to lean on, as the rest of her family resides in India.
Her first major project will take her home to India searching for the perfect scent for a special client, just as a secret from her Past, will arrive in Paris, making her confront all of the things she thought could remain buried.
Once again, the VIBRANT sights and INTOXICATING smells of both Paris, and India were brought alive, by the MESMERIZING lyrical voice of narrator Sneha Mathan, in the Audible version and I toggled between listening and reading.
The author, Alki Joshi, thoughtfully provided a cast of characters in the beginning, reminding us of who everyone from each book is and how they are related, as well as a glossary of terms (and a couple of recipes!) at the book’s conclusion.
Although, this was always a planned trilogy, the story could easily continue with Radha’s children, should the author reconsider, and I would most definitely enjoy seeing where their paths would take them, but this was most definitely a WORTHY conclusion and a WONDERFUL way to conclude this journey.
It’s September and the neighbors are “sizing each other up while feigning friendliness” at the catered party in the Loverly’s backyard…
Our hostess, WhIt’s September and the neighbors are “sizing each other up while feigning friendliness” at the catered party in the Loverly’s backyard…
Our hostess, Whitney is pleased with how things have turned out until she goes upstairs in search of her 10 year old son, Xavier, and finds him covered in chocolate with all of the “loot bags” meant for the neighborhood children, emptied around him on his bed.
Furious, she begins berating him-and her profanity laced rant has silenced the party goers outside, who have heard it all through the open window…
Her neighbors are bound to whisper.
9 Months Later…
Xavier has “fallen” out of his third story window-or has he? Is it possible he jumped? Could he have been pushed?
Mara, the elderly neighbor knows more about what goes on than anyone realizes.
Next door neighbor Blair, a nurturing Mom, whose daughter Chloe is Xavier’s best friend, is getting that gut feeling again-She once heard them described as the whispers-the moments when you know something isn’t right.
But sometimes it’s easier not to listen to them. Sometimes you don’t hear them until you are looking back with hindsight, feeling blindsided. Is her intuition correct?
Rebecca, the childless neighbor across the street is the Doctor on staff when Xavier is brought in by ambulance. Everyone thinks this is a choice but it’s actually the PAINFUL reality of INFERTILITY and multiple MISCARRIAGES.
It makes her even more frustrated that Whitney doesn’t seem to appreciate the gift of her three children and has been negligent about putting a lock on the window that Xavier fell from. Her anguish is visceral and heartbreaking to read about.
The Wednesday night when this tragedy occurs will change everything on Harlow Street.
Over the course of three days, as Whitney sits by the hospital bed of her silent son, the SECRETS will come spilling out…
I DID NOT find this to be the propulsive page turner it was described as, until the SECOND half, and even wondered if I wanted to continue on at one point, which is why it didn’t earn all 5 stars from me.
In fact, after the scene at the party, we spend the majority of the SLOW first half getting to know the character’s inner thoughts on SEX, MARRIAGE, PREGNANCY and MOTHERHOOD.
Ashley Audrain is NOT AFRAID to GO THERE, and she tackles these topics in a raw, honest way that may make many readers feel UNCOMFORTABLE.
MUCH LIKE in her debut novel, “The Push” she explores the fact that some women make motherhood look EASY but not all women are natural mothers, and not all women take to mothering.
FINALLY, at about the halfway point, we return to the night in June when the “unthinkable” happens, and from that point on, the quick chapters and alternating viewpoints DO keep the PACE moving at breakneck speed until the last page, with an ending which once again lets you decide what the final conclusion might be….I found myself pondering the possibilities this morning.
With some SHOCKING revelations, Audrain has definitely created a niche with these stories, so if you enjoyed her first book, “The Push” this one will not disappoint! (though I do hope that her next book explores some different themes)
“There comes a day in every man’s life when he stops looking forward and starts looking back” Maxwell Hill (Sam’s father)
So begins the story, of Samu“There comes a day in every man’s life when he stops looking forward and starts looking back” Maxwell Hill (Sam’s father)
So begins the story, of Samuel Hill, as he reflects on the moments in his life, past and present, heartbreaking and heartwarming, which have made him into the person he is today.
“WHAT THE SAM HELL?”
Those were the four words, uttered by Samuel’s father, when he laid eyes on his infant son for the very first time-a baby born with ocular albinism, a rare condition which gave him red pupils.
But, his mother was unperturbed, as she was a devout Catholic who believed unwaveringly in “God’s Will” and she decided that his eyes meant that her son was destined for an extraordinary life.
She was his fierce protector, for as long as she could be, but eventually Samuel would have to attend school at the “Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church”, where his mother can go only as far as the steps leading into the classrooms.
There, he will be ridiculed and taunted by the kids who call him “Devil Boy” and bullied relentlessly David Bateman, a boy twice his size, which will make him question his FAITH, despite the unconditional love he grew up with.
He wanted to believe that it was God’s Plan to send Ernie Cantwell, the only African American child in his grade, from Detroit Michigan to Burlingame, CA, to be the friend he desperately needed.
And, also part of God’s design to add Mickie Kennedy to their circle in sixth grade-a girl with a bit of a reputation, who defied the norms. And, sometimes the Nuns.
The result? An extraordinary, moving story, which will stick with me long after it’s done.
I recently reviewed “Her Deadly Game”, a legal thriller very different from this book, and mentioned that it had been my first book by Dugoni. Goodreads friends (thank you! ...more
I finally found time for this title, which has been on my backlist for too long-and I toggled between the AUDIBLE (which was edited be3.5 rounded up!
I finally found time for this title, which has been on my backlist for too long-and I toggled between the AUDIBLE (which was edited better) and a longer version of a written copy-and I had some conflicting feelings about the story.
Cameron and Lisa Murdoch are a crime writing duo with a string of successful novels. While on promotional tours, they often joke with their audience, that nobody would know how to get away with murder better than they would. The jokes they made may come back to haunt them.
Zach is their seven year old son. Doctors haven’t been able to agree about whether or not he is “on the spectrum” but they do agree that his behavior is “challenging”. In fact, his parents have coined his episodes as “Crazy Zach Moods”-CZM for short. It often takes a concerted effort to diffuse one.
One night, after threatening to run away, Zach disappears.
Detective Inspector Rebecca Kent and her NEW partner, DI Ben Thompson are assigned the case and Thompson begins to suspect “foul play”.
The story unfolds alternately through the POVS of Cameron Murdoch (and his nagging subconscious who he calls “Mr. What If”) and that of Detective Kent.
First-I think the prologue should have been edited out of the book as it takes away A LOT of the suspense although things are not completely straight forward in the way the narrative plays out. You can skip it, or even wait till the 50% point (when the car chase is revisited) and read it then.
For the first 50%, I was immersed in the narrative, as we follow the leads with Kent and Thompson. The anguish of the Murdochs is palpable, and the way the Press and the community treat the grieving family, is heartbreaking, and unfortunately very realistic in todays world.
At 50%, the book pivots, as Cameron’s frustration mounts and he snaps-and now we have him taking matters into his own hands-and going further than what is credible. This always feels OTT, and dragged on too long for my taste.
The ending did have some surprising TWISTS, but I would have preferred a different culprit(s).
The author, in his acknowledgement, shares that he changed the ending prior to publication. I wonder if the original one he wrote, was the one I would have bought into more easily?
5 stars for the first half but 3 stars for the second half…...more
After a fun night out with friends, Abbie must run to catch the last train home, but she slides inside the doors just as they are closing. A ha4.5 ⭐️
After a fun night out with friends, Abbie must run to catch the last train home, but she slides inside the doors just as they are closing. A handsome stranger catches her eye, and they begin a playful conversation-the kind that would never occur on the morning commute to work.
But, then there is a jolt, and the train goes dark.
“A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN 7 SECONDS…”
What occurs next will both bond the two together-and tear them apart.
“A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN 7 YEARS…”
Told in alternating chapters from both Abbie, and our handsome stranger, Tom, we learn how the TIMING of certain events will push these two apart, and pull them back together again over the course of the next several years, as both grapple with their feelings and the frustrations that come along with them.
WILL THEY GET A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE?
I don’t know why this second romance from author Elle Cook has been published with so little fanfare, as I enjoyed it just as much as her debut “The Man I Never Met”, and she deserves a bigger audience!
As soon as I saw that this was available as an Audible, I purchased a copy and listened to this entertaining story voiced by Montserrat Lombard and Tom Stourton, who were equally engaging and brought these relatable characters to life!
Sweet, but not spicy, I can easily recommend this one to fans of the romance genre! ❤️
Available now!
Looks like a third romance is planned for 2025, and while that seems so far away now-I’m sure it will be worth the wait. I’ll be watching for it!
Elle Cook also writes historical fiction under her real name, Lorna Cook....more
When an old friend in the antiques business is killed, and the dangerous package he was protecting goes missing, the Thursd4.5 ⭐️
DEVILS WALK AMONG US
When an old friend in the antiques business is killed, and the dangerous package he was protecting goes missing, the Thursday Murder Club has their next case-despite the fact that heartache has hit close to home.
TW: Dementia
OMG! I want to get on the waitlist for an Apartment at Cooper’s Chase and join the Thursday Murder Club!
This series keeps getting BETTER and BETTER, and this time Richard Osman has combined a cozy mystery with some thoughtfully written sub plots which include the themes of “romance fraud” and “end of life decisions”.
Usually by the fourth book in a series, my interest starts to wane and I don’t continue on, but I have grown fond of this gang, and look forward to what’s next!
I am DEFINITELY continuing on!
Although the author has promised that Joyce, (and her wonderful diary entries) Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron will be sticking around for a long time to come, it may be a bit of a wait until we catch up with them again…
His next book will feature a father-in-law/daughter-in-law detective duo, and I must admit-that sounds like FUN- I am looking forward to meeting them!
If you haven’t already-DO read this series IN ORDER, to appreciate how the characters and their relationships with one another build over time.
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both the Audible and written copies of this title- AVAILABLE NOW!...more
This is the follow up to “Finlay Donovan is Killing It” and Finlay is back, now struggling to finish a follow-up to her own novel, which again “may orThis is the follow up to “Finlay Donovan is Killing It” and Finlay is back, now struggling to finish a follow-up to her own novel, which again “may or may not be based on her personal life”!
The story opens with another dead body-but this time it is the corpse of “Christopher”-her daughter Delia’s beloved pet goldfish! Gulp! ...more
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