I’m back with more reviews and book recommendations. How are you spending your last month of 2022, and what are your big plans/hopes for 2023? Okay, forget that. The most important question is: what’s on your TBR this month?
I don’t have any big plans that don’t involve books. And I’m spending these last few weeks of December reading to my heart’s content. Let’s talk about some of my favorite December reads.
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
It’s a 5-star murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. I have read almost all of Agatha Christie’s books, and I feel that I know her work well enough to solve most of the mysteries before the end, but this one really surprised me. I enjoyed listening to an audiobook of it. And once again, the Queen of mystery has set her stage exceptionally well. The characters are all well-written, and their backgrounds draw you in.
It’s a Miss Marple mystery, so the setting is an English village where no one locks their doors, and all the neighbors are welcome to come and go as they please. So, when a murder is announced in the newspaper, everyone assumes it is a game. Because what else would it be in this small community where everyone knows everyone and nothing exciting ever happens.
They are all wrong. Imagine their shock when someone ends up murdered. But it’s an outsider, and no one knows much about him. He might have killed himself accidentally while trying to shoot someone else. At least, that’s how everyone takes the situation, and to them, it’s pretty much ‘case closed.’
However, when the investigation starts, secrets are revealed, and shocking revelations come to light about the residents. Things are rarely as they seem, and Agatha Christie is about to prove the point most interestingly.
So, get comfortable. Brew a cup of your favorite tea and read. I highly recommend it to all mystery lovers.
It’s more of a thriller than a mystery. The story is about a vicious serial killer who thinks he is doing the world some kind of favor by killing his victims, who he claims are weak. And he doesn’t just kill them but does it in the most painful way imaginable.
When he kills Alexa Chase’s partner and runs away, she only wants to find him and arrest him. It’s not about revenge. It is all about justice and protecting the people. With the help of her new partner, she must chase this killer and apprehend him as soon as possible. Because she is sure he will kill again, and she isn’t wrong.
On the other hand, Drake Logan is obsessed with Alexa. There is a reason why he only killed her partner while leaving her alive. He wants to turn her. What will he do to achieve that goal? Is there any limit to this man’s cruelty?
As Alexa and her partner follow the leads, they begin to wonder if they are chasing him or if he is chasing them. Along the way, she will have to face her inner demons and overcome them.
The story will have you in its grip, and you will be on the edge of your seat wondering if a satisfactory ending is even possible for this gruesome thriller. But you’ll have to read the book to find that out. I definitely thought the book overall is quite a satisfying read.
The story is well-written, well-paced, and has a good feel. As far as thrillers go, it’s a good one. I will give it 4 stars rating. And I will definitely check out more books by this author.
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
It’s a 5-star read. The story drew me in at once, and I found it hard to put it down (good thing I was listening to an audiobook). The first thing I noticed and loved was the darker side of the main characters. They are no saints and would do anything to get what they want. But in this fantasy world, that’s not really a bad thing. On one hand, this gives depth to the characters, and on the other hand, it makes them oddly relatable. Also, it lays down the foundation for character growth, because you know heroes can’t be villains. Though, the line is blurred.
Violet Made of Thorns has all the ingredients of a good novel; a well-built fantasy world, magic, curses, royals, and witches. The story is told to create intrigue, and you will keep wondering, ‘What will happen next?’ ‘Who is the villain, and who is the hero?’ There are some interesting twists and turns that will keep the readers entertained. The end is satisfactory, although it will leave you wanting more.
The story is about a young seer who fought for her place by the king’s side. She has a reputation to maintain, and the kind relies on her prophecies. However, the prince hates her. Cyrus would do anything to make her leave the palace. Yet, Violet isn’t going anywhere. She might falsify a prophecy or two, but Cyrus is a hypocrite. The one thing she has never doubted is his worthiness to rule the kingdom. But what if his stubbornness leads them to ruin everything? And what if Violet damns the kingdom with her lies?
It’s a fairytale retelling, and if you love those, you would definitely love it, too. Overall, for fantasy lovers, this book is a treat, and though it doesn’t end on a major cliffhanger or anything, I’m looking forward to reading the next book and can’t wait for it to come out.
I will be back with more book recommendations, so stay tuned, and don’t forget to comment with your current read. If you want me to review any specific book, don’t hesitate to reach out. You know I read almost all genres with very few exceptions. As always, happy reading and happy holidays.
P.S. It’s my birthday on the 22nd, so yay! Happy birthday to me.
Between The Pages Of A Book 