Nicole About Town

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Missing White Woman: A Novel by Kellye Garrett | REVIEW

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own

Missing White Woman: A NovelMissing White Woman: A Novel by Kellye Garrett
Publication Date: April 30, 2024
Publisher: Mulholland Books / Hachette Book Group
Pages: 336
Goodreads
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Domestic
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis:

A "compulsive page-turner" (Harlan Coben) and "thriller not to be missed" (Michael Connelly) from the award-winning author of Like a Sister, in which a woman thinks she’s waking up to a romantic vacation—only to find a body in her rental home and her boyfriend gone.

The truth is never skin deep.

It was supposed to be a romantic getaway weekend in New York City. Breanna’s new boyfriend, Ty, took care of everything—the train tickets, the dinner reservations, the rented four-story luxury rowhouse in Jersey City with a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.

But when Bree comes downstairs their final morning, Ty is nowhere to be found and there’s a stranger dead in the foyer—the missing woman the entire Internet has become obsessed with: Janelle Beckett. Soon, both the police and an army of Internet sleuths are asking questions Bree doesn't know how to answer. Desperate to find Ty and to keep her own secrets buried, Bree realizes there’s only one person she can turn to: her ex-best friend, a lawyer with whom she shares a very complicated past.

Fierce, smart, and thrilling to the end, Missing White Woman not only explores “Missing White Woman” syndrome and traveling while Black, but deftly inverts the hallmarks of the domestic suspense genre to ask: How well can we truly know the people we love? And what happens to these stories when seen through the eyes of a Black woman?


REVIEW

Firstly, I must admit that I found every character in this book frustrating. Each one stirred up feelings of annoyance or anger, and I couldn’t relate to any of them. This usually affects my enjoyment of a book. However, this wasn’t the case with “Missing White Woman: A Novel” by Kellye Garrett. Despite my irritation towards each character, the story was well-executed.

As a frequent reader of thrillers, I often anticipate plot twists. However, this was one of the few stories where all my predictions were either wrong or partially right. Recognizing all the characters was straightforward, but assembling the narrative puzzle was more challenging than I expected. The author succeeded in keeping me engaged until the end, consistently surprising me with unexpected yet plausible twists.

The book skillfully addressed the issue of race, the stereotyping of black men, the portrayal of the missing white woman as a paragon of virtue, and the depiction of the black woman as a deserving drug addict. Although this was a theme in the story, it did not detract from the overall mystery. The characters’ annoyance, rather than outrage, over this issue was notable.

As my first encounter with Kellye Garrett’s work, “Missing White Woman: A Novel” serves as a good introduction. If possible, I recommend listening to the audiobook version. The vocalization and characterization were excellent. Even though I didn’t like any of the characters, it helped me better understand them.

Darling Girls: A Novel by Sally Hepworth

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own

Darling Girls: A NovelDarling Girls: A Novel by Sally Hepworth
Publication Date: April 24, 2024
Publisher: St. Martin's Press / Macmillan
Pages: 368
Goodreads
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Domestic
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth, comes a twisty new domestic suspense novel.
From the outside, Alicia, Jessica and Norah might seem like ordinary women you'd meet on the street any day of the week. Sure, Jessica has a little OCD and Norah has some anger issues. And Alicia has low self-esteem that manifests itself in surprising ways. But these three have a bond that no one can fully understand. It's a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild, and they thought they were free. But the reach of someone with such power is long, and even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are called in by the police to tell what they know. Against their will, they are brought back to the past, and to Miss Fairchild herself. DARLING GIRLS asks the questions: what are we capable of when in a desperate place? How much can we hide the demons inside us? And can the past ever truly be buried?


REVIEW

I have always found a great deal of enjoyment in the novels written by Sally Hepworth, and her latest masterpiece, Darling Girls, is certainly no exception to this rule. It was an exceptionally well-crafted piece of literature, weaving a tale that was both complex and intricate in nature.

This was the third novel I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in from her talented hand, and despite having some experience with her style and narrative, I found myself falling into the trap of thinking I could predict the plot’s direction. I believed I had a grasp on the various threads of the story. While I was correct in predicting some minor aspects, I was greatly mistaken, and pleasantly surprised, about many others. The plot twists that Hepworth integrated into the story, especially those central to the narrative, were unexpected and compelling.

This level of unpredictability and depth is characteristic of a Sally Hepworth novel, and it’s part of what I find most compelling about her work. Even though I frequently read and review a wide array of books, her creative storytelling and unique narrative twists continue to astonish and delight me in equal measure.

The audiobook version of Darling Girls also deserves special mention. As with her previous works, it is exceptional in both production and performance, providing a captivating and immersive auditory experience that complements the enthralling tale.

Diva: A Novel by Daisy Goodwin | REVIEW

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Diva: A NovelDiva: A Novel by Daisy Goodwin
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
Pages: 336
Goodreads
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Women
Rating: ★★★★
Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin returns with a story of the scandalous love affair between the most celebrated opera singer of all time and one of the richest men in the world.
In the glittering and ruthlessly competitive world of opera, Maria Callas was known simply as la divina: the divine one. With her glorious voice, instinctive flair for the dramatic and striking beauty, she was the toast of the grandest opera houses in the world. But her fame was hard won: raised in Nazi-occupied Greece by a mother who mercilessly exploited her golden voice, she learned early in life to protect herself from those who would use her for their own ends.

When she met the fabulously rich Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, for the first time in her life, she believed she’d found someone who saw the woman within the legendary soprano. She fell desperately in love. He introduced her to a life of unbelievable luxury, showering her with jewels and sojourns in the most fashionable international watering holes with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

And then suddenly, it was over. The international press announced that Aristotle Onassis would marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces.

In this remarkable novel, Daisy Goodwin brings to life a woman whose extraordinary talent, unremitting drive and natural chic made her a legend. But it was only in confronting the heartbreak of losing the man she loved that Maria Callas found her true voice and went on to triumph.


REVIEW

While I’ve heard Maria Callas’ recordings, I knew little about her personal life until I read Diva: A Novel by Daisy Goodwin. Although this novel is a work of historical fiction and the author admits some liberties were taken, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s an intriguing story about an extraordinary woman.

The narrative is filled with pain, fear, insecurity, humiliation, determination, tenacity, strength, and talent. It’s a captivating roller coaster ride. Add a complex family dynamic, including a toxic stage mom, an absent father, and a golden child sibling, and you get a compelling story about a formidable woman.

The Aristotle Onassis and Jackie O. affair adds another layer of intrigue, especially when Jackie O.’s sister is factored in. The situation doesn’t paint anyone in a positive light.

If even a small part of Diva: A Novel is rooted in reality, it’s clear why Callas is such an interesting subject, making the book a superb read. I highly recommend the audiobook version. It features Callas’ singing, a delightful surprise, and is of top-notch quality.

Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly | REVIEW

Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s 2024 already because time does fly. In any case, let’s kick off the year by taking a look at the Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly that I’ve been testing for the past month or so. I picked it up on a whim while strolling through The Detox Market late last year, and I’ve been incorporating it into my routine ever since.

Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly

Ere Perez All-Beauty Jelly

So what exactly is the Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly? Well, it is a cleanser; specifically a 1st cleanser from a very new-to-me brand out of Australia. But while I’ve been using it as a cleanser, that’s not all it is. You can also use it as a mask or a spot treatment. I haven’t been using it as anything other than an oil-based cleanser, but I can see why someone would use it as a mask treatment. Just using this as a cleanser leaves my skin feeling as soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom, so I can only imagine how amazing my skin would feel using this as a mask.

Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly

The consistency on this one is 100% accurate. It is a jelly in the truest sense of the word. Even though it’s jelly, it doesn’t feel slimy when applied to the skin. It feels like a thick oil, without the greasy feeling. It’s very hard to describe accurately, and it’s something you need to experience for yourself to understand. I use it just like any other first cleanser. I apply it with clean, dry hands directly onto my skin and massage it in. This is the first step in my evening skincare routine. Like any other oil-based cleanser, I tend to massage it into my skin for between 1 to 2 minutes. This breaks down my sunscreen and makeup, ensuring I get the most out of the Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly.

Ere Perez All-Beauty Jelly

The Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly breaks down makeup and sunscreen pretty easily. Once it’s worked into your skin, you can add a bit of water that will then emulsify the cleanser. Then I simply wipe it off and I’m left with baby-soft skin. You may be tempted to stop here, but don’t. You should follow up with your water-based cleanser and continue with your routine. If you were using this as a mask, I would not also be using it as my cleanser. For me, it would be an either-or situation. It does an awesome job of breaking down and removing waterproof, stage and very heavy makeup, and sunscreen. At the same time, I haven’t experienced the oil in my eyes feeling some other oil-based cleansers can have.

Honestly, I have to say I’m pretty impressed with the Ere Perez Fig All-Beauty Jelly. When it comes to my oil-based cleansers, I’ve not been enjoying regular cleansing balms and sticking with straight-up oil. This has been the cleanser I have been reaching for more consistently than any other. A bit too early for me to say if this is going to be one of my Holy Grail products. It’s certainly on the shortlist for my ‘Best of 2024’ list though. It retails for $48.50 CAD, and you can purchase it through The Detox Market.

Dark Corners: A Novel by Megan Goldin | REVIEW

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Dark Corners: A NovelDark Corners: A Novel by Megan Goldin
Series: Rachell Krall #2
Publication Date: August 8, 2023
Publisher: St. Martin's Press / Macmillan
Pages: 352
Goodreads
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis:

Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster star of Megan Goldin’s acclaimed Night Swim returns to search for a popular social media influencer who disappeared after visiting a suspected serial killer.
Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she’s been kidnapped—or worse. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him in the first place?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel Krall goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal.

When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krell herself. Suddenly a target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.


REVIEW

Dark Corners: A Novel by Megan Goldin was an enjoyable follow-up book, although it didn’t quite match the exceptional quality of The Night Swim. It should be noted that The Night Swim set a very high standard. In terms of the main character, Rachel Krall, she was not as endearing and appeared excessively self-assured in herself and her skills. Frequently, she finds herself in precarious circumstances and expresses astonishment when things do not go as planned. However, despite these shortcomings, the story still had its moments of intrigue and kept me engaged.

While reading Dark Corners, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disconnection from both the story and the characters, which is quite different from my experience with the author’s previous books. It was disappointing to find that none of the characters, including the main character, were likable in any way. Furthermore, the topic of influencers as a whole tends to lack the ability to evoke sympathy or admiration, even among other influencers themselves. This made me question the direction of the story, as it seemed to place too much emphasis on the influencer angle, which I found bothersome.

The ending itself was quite satisfying in the sense that everything was thoroughly explained and wrapped up neatly. However, it can be said that there were no truly groundbreaking or astonishing moments, despite the detailed explanations provided. It is worth noting that throughout the reading experience, I did not come across any significant “ah-ha” moments that would have left a lasting impression on me.

The audiobook version of this book is exceptionally well done overall. The narration, performed by a talented voice actor with a captivating voice, brings the story to life in a truly immersive way. The production quality is top-notch, with seamless transitions and well-placed sound effects that enhance the listening experience. It is evident that MacMillan Audio, a renowned company known for its commitment to quality, has once again delivered a masterpiece. With their attention to detail and dedication to providing the best listening experiences in the industry, MacMillan Audio continues to set the bar high for audiobook production.