The Fortune Tellers Of Rue Daru: A Novel by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:(summary from Goodreads)

A fearless fortune teller in 1920s Paris must use her powers to divine who she can trust—and even more importantly, learn to trust herself—in the searing new gothic novel from the author of The Haunting of Moscow House .

Spirited twenty-something Zina and her secretive grandmother, Baba Valya, own a tearoom on rue Daru in Paris, where they have lived quietly since Zina’s mother’s untimely death. By day, the women serve tea, mostly to members of the bustling Russian émigré community, but when dusk falls, they divine fortunes and perform séances for their loyal clientele.

Then the charming Princess Olga and her brother arrive, searching for answers about the disappearance of their father, the Grand Duke and cousin to the murdered last Tsar of Russia. Zina, eager to learn more about the spirit world and her powers, performs the séance. She is able to summon the Grand Duke, but to her horror, he starts to haunt the shop, and he seems to know something sinister about her mother’s death.

As Zina delves into her family’s hidden past, dark secrets are unearthed, threatening Zina and her grandmother’s found family, home, and tearoom, not to mention their very lives.

my thoughts:

A story about fortune tellers in 1920s Paris - how could I not want to read this one? Plus, that summary makes it sounds unputdownable. I'm excited to fall in deep with Zina and her family. And, it's Paris - my favorite city to read about. I'm thrilled to travel the streets and city, learning all about divining fortunes and the Russian community in Paris at the time. Plus, I want to find out if the Grand Duke truly does know anything about Zina's mother. I'm sure that I'll be gobbling up this fantastical story in no time. I can't wait!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A beautiful, heartbreaking novel about ambition, love, and space from the award-winning author of the Women’s Prize longlisted Wandering Souls

January 28, 1986: Soon after launch, the Challenger shuttle falls out of the sky and into the sea. At the same time, Oliver Ines is born. Celestial Lights is his story.

Ollie spends his childhood in an English village where his bedroom is covered in glow-in-the-dark wallpaper bearing the planets and stars. Decades later, he has become one of the most renowned astronauts of his time. When an enterprising billionaire taps him to lead a landmark mission to the distant moon Europa, Ollie makes a choice that will send his whole world spinning.

As the mission advances deeper into unchartered territory, Ollie finds himself retreating into the past: his university days in London and years in the navy, relationships found and lost, becoming a husband and father. But will the world he remembers still be waiting for him when he returns?

Cecile Pin’s novel is a portrait of a complicated man whose unparalleled understanding of the universe doesn’t always translate into stellar relationships on Earth. A breathtaking tale of memory, personal choices, and the relationships that define us, Celestial Lights is an unforgettable story of fate, love, and sacrifice that questions what we owe ourselves and our loved ones when our ambitions and loyalties collide.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a beautiful story. I absolutely loved Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin. It was science fiction and family drama at its very best. I enjoyed getting to know Ollie and the people in his life, along with his space mission to Europa. It was fascinating. unputdownable, and unforgettable. This is a story that explores human relationships and dynamics. It's thought-provoking and emotional. Ollie is a renowned astronaut and gets the opportunity to travel to a distant moon. He will be gone for ten years. He agrees to the journey, which means he agrees to leave his family behind. Why? Especially when you know that there is no guarantee of a return home. Definitely makes you wonder about Ollie and the choices he's made in his life. And, that is all I will share about this wonderful story. Just know, it's a must-read and that you are going to fall in deep with it. So, make sure to grab a copy and dive right in. Happy reading!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Light And Thread by Han Kang

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

I love Han Kang's writing, so I'm excited to read her latest book. It's a nonfiction collection of essays, poems, diaries, and photographs titled, Light And Thread.  I love that title, and I love the idea of getting to know her through these personal pieces of writings. How exciting!

Missing: A Novel by E. A. Jackson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

In this unputdownable crime thriller for fans of Tana French, a detective returns to a thirty-year-old case—an infamous disappearance in London—that has haunted her entire career and now may jeopardize her future. 

In August 1990, London is suffering through an unprecedented heatwave when baby Bella Carpenter is snatched through the open window of her hotel room. Detective Inspector Martha Allen is assigned the high-profile case and, knowing that it could make or break her career, is determined to find Bella.

When a young woman named Nell Beatty walks into the police station with a baby who appears to be Bella, and whom Nell claims she found on a bench, it seems that the mystery is solved. Her family, the police, and the press are overjoyed at her return. But DI Allen isn’t convinced, something about Nell’s story doesn’t ring true. As much as she wants to continue, however, now that the baby is safe, she’s ordered to close the investigation.

Thirty years later, Nell Beatty is found dead. Now a superintendent, Allen has never really gotten over her doubts about the Carpenter case and can’t resist doing a little digging on her own time, eager to find out what happened to Nell, and her involvement in the baby’s disappearance all those years ago. But will her efforts uncover something darker than she could have ever imagined? And what is she risking as she tries once and for all to reveal the truth?

my thoughts:

Missing: A Novel by E. A. Jackson is a must-read for anyone and everyone looking for their next great mystery. It's chock full of tension, suspense, and unanswered questions that have plagued our protagonist for decades - basically all the right ingredients for a thrilling story. I loved it. I found myself easily caught up in this thoughtful, intense, and shocking story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, because I couldn't help but try to figure out whodunit. Such a great read!

I would happily recommend Missing - you are going to enjoy this mystery thriller to bits. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! Happy reading!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Death Wasn't Invited: A June's Journey Mystery by Carlene O'Connor

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Based on the hit mobile game, a cozy murder mystery set in 1920s Paris by a USA Today bestselling author, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Agatha Christie. June's friend has been brutally murdered and the police have the wrong man, can she solve the case before the killer catches up to her?

Paris, 1922. The marriage between the Auclair and the Picard family is the talk of the town. June can't wait to attend the engagement party with her friends, Nate and Jack. But Nate has an ulterior motive, he's there to stop the wedding. Before he can complete his task, he's stabbed in the chest, with Jack's knife. Jack is arrested, but June knows he wouldn't hurt a fly.

In this throwback to the classic whodunnits of Agatha Christie, June must find the real killer and clear Jack's name. As she becomes embroiled deeper and deeper into a corrupt web of Parisian old-money, high society and politics, she uncovers deadly secrets. Can June solve the case before the killer strikes again?

my thoughts:

How fun does this book sound? First off, I love the June's Journey Mystery games - they are a favorite of mine. Also, I love the idea of a book based on the game - it's the perfect whodunit mystery! Familiar characters, a murder mystery, and Paris - what more could I want? 

I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of Death Wasn't Invited: A June's Journey Mystery by Carlene O'Connor and immediately started reading. Soon I was transported to Paris in 1922 and alongside June as she attended an engagement party with her friends, Jack and Nate. Except, things go from good to bad in two shake's of a lamb's tail. Yep, June's friend Nate is murdered and the culprit arrested for the crime is her other friend, Jack. Say what? Turns out it was his knife. Yikes! So, now June is rushing to find out what really happened and who is truly responsible for this crime. The only thing is that the more she discover, the deadlier things are becoming. And, that is all I will share about this fun and exciting mystery. 

Make sure to grab a copy and settle in with a cuppa - you are going to LOVE this book to bits. Happy reading! 

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!