Review: A Shadow at the Door

Title: A Shadow at the Door

Author: Jo Dixon

Publisher: 3rd January 2024 by Harlequin Australia, HQ  & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: crime, mystery, thriller

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of The House of Now and Then comes a vividly portrayed story that reveals the darkness of greed and desire where people will stop at nothing to get what they want. No matter the cost ...

After a brutal attack and the breakdown of her marriage, life has taught former TV star Remi Lucan that it's safer to not rely on anyone. Instead, she's buried herself in Hobart, transforming her dilapidated sandstone house back to its former splendour, and it has been her proudest achievement. Better than her short-lived acting career. Definitely better than being a smile-on-command trophy wife. But when she runs out of money, her wealthy ex-husband tries to force the sale of the property and Remi realises her only option is to lower her defences and take in tenants. At first her biggest problem is adjusting to the intrusion of two unlikely housemates, but when a series of 'accidents' turns ugly, it becomes clear these incidents are more than pranks. Someone is out to get Remi, and they won't stop until they destroy her...

My Thoughts

Atmospheric Tasmania provides the perfect setting for this engrossing psychological thriller. Herein, Jo Dixon provides strong characters that readers will become invested in and find themselves eagerly turning the pages. This is a quick and wonderfully escapist read. 

‘Her beautiful home was also her sanctuary. She wasn’t leaving. Here, she’d finally felt safe and at peace.’

For me, the greatest strength of this book is the contrasting cast of believable characters. The villains may be a little too villainous, however, Jo provides an eclectic and realistic mix of characters that really cements the tale and is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. Good writing has you suspecting multiple people and even though I worked out early on who it might be - there is still much to unfold in the timing and events to a fitting conclusion. My favourite characters were the housemates, both very different, but added real depth and reality to the storyline. 

‘She was alone in her old house with barely enough superficial interaction to keep her from becoming a shuffling, mumbling hermit. It wasn’t social or glamorous, but it was the life she had chosen. And still wanted.’

A Shadow at the Door is Jo’s second novel and now firmly establishes her as a writer you will keep coming back to. The pacing is good and even though you may guess correctly early on, there are plenty of twists and turns scattered throughout to keep you fully engaged to the very end. This book hooks you from the outset with the second half really bringing it home. Mystery and thriller lovers are sure to enjoy this one. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Diva

Title: Diva

Author: Daisy Goodwin

Publisher: 23rd January 2024 by St. Martin's Press

Pages: 336 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction (Adult) | Romance 

Rating: 4.5 cups

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.

My Thoughts

Daisy Goodwin is renowned for taking famous women and beautifully combining fact and fiction. I especially refer to (Queen) Victoria which was then made into a delightful TV series.  On this occasion she presents Maria Callas, world famous opera singer and definite diva. Add into her story names such as Aristotle Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Marilyn Munroe, Princess Grace and this is certainly an all star cast. Shamefully I admit I knew little about Maria so I was thrilled to go on this literary journey. 

“One day, I am sure, you will be a great diva, one of the greatest sopranos the world has ever known, and you will think you are immortal.”

Daisy Goodwin gives readers front row seats to everything from backstage at the opera, to being on Aristotle’s boat, to dinners with Grace Kelly in Monte Carlo to the famous Marilyn Monroe's Happy Birthday performance at President Kennedy’s concert. There is backstory given to her family relationships and Maria’s search for love and acceptance. This was a woman who was dedicated to her profession, respecting her ‘God given’ talent and going to extreme lengths to care for her voice. I gained much respect for her and, despite fame and fortune, felt her life was incomplete in some ways. Being famous for the woman who Onassis discarded to marry Jackie Kennedy, there is much more to Maria’s life story than that. 

‘… the two Golden Greeks were a celestial couple who transcended earthly morality.’

The research Daisy has undertaken throughout must be acknowledged in getting details accurate - everything from opera performances, to fashion,  to celebrity events. Her writing slowly captures readers attention until they are onboard and eager to see how life would play out for the famous Maria Callas - whether it be the many triumphs or the many tragedies throughout her life. 

The fan shrugged. “Whatever happens there will be drama. It is Callas, after all.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Everyday Enlightenment

Title: Everyday Enlightenment

Author: Luke McLeod

Publisher: 27th December 2024 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 305 pages

Genre: nonfiction, self help, meditation

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Peace. Calm. Mindfulness. Enlightenment.

These are appealing concepts, but they never seem like they're within grasp of the everyday person. With all our responsibilities in life, most of us are doing our best just to keep up, let alone have time to find that elusive 'inner calm'.

Luke McLeod knows all about this. He's an everyday person. He's a son, a husband and a friend, trying to find some balance in his everyday life just like everyone else. There is one thing, though, he knows for sure has improved his quality of life every single day.

Meditation.

Luke used to believe meditation wasn't for him but has now become one of Australia's leading meditation experts helping thousands of 'everyday' people, just like himself, enjoy meditation in an easy, down-to-earth way.

Everyday Enlightenment contains encouragement, support, guidance, advice and short meditations to help you start, enjoy and embrace your meditation journey. Let Luke help you find some of that inner peace and calmness without having to move to the mountains and become a monk. Let him show you how the secret to living an enlightened life is hidden within the ordinary and the everyday - it will be one of the best things you ever do.

My Thoughts

Everyday Enlightenment is a breath of fresh air, your own personal mentor gently directing you on how to see things differently and get the most out of this precious life. 

‘ … real richness of life is found when the ordinary starts to become extraordinary.’

Luke divides the book into three stage, three steps to a better understanding of your life:

1. relief by developing inner calmness from our incessant thinking mind through observation 

2. healing and liberating inner restraints, clearing any emotional weights through introspection

3. happiness comes from expanding and uniting all of your senses - opening of awareness

‘It’s about working on yourself. Pulling back all the layers that have built up over time and getting yourself to a point that you feel calm, confident and content.’

Luke’s book is very easy going reading, accessible for all levels especially those who may be embarking on a mindfulness journey and wondering how to even begin. His style is very engaging, down-to-earth and accessible. Luke provides practical examples, good analogies (eg. our mind is like a gearbox - love that one!)  and usable introductory meditations.

‘ … never underestimate the power of what five to ten minutes spent in this neutral gear of the mind can do.’

Everyday Enlightenment is about finding a deeper meaning and understanding to life. Meditation helps lift the fog and provide more peace, calm and enlightenment for everyday living. 

‘Our purpose is not to work out what we are here to do, but to experience who we are.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Search Party

Title: The Search Party

Author: Hannah Richell

Publisher: 3rd January 2024 by Simon & Schuster Australia

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: mystery, thriller, suspense

Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

Five old friends reunite for an idyllic glamping holiday on the rugged Cornwall coast, but tensions rise when a storm leaves them stranded and someone goes missing. Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race with their twelve-year-old son to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. 

Eager for a dry run ahead of their opening, they invite three old university friends and their families for a long-needed reunion and a relaxing weekend. But the festivities soon go awry as tensions arise between the children (and subsequently their parents), explosive secrets come to light, and a sudden storm moves in, cutting them off from help as one in the group disappears.  

Moving between a police investigation, a hospital room and the catastrophic weekend, The Search Party is a propulsive destination thriller about the tenuous bonds of friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect their children.

My Thoughts

I have read and loved Hannah’s previous books, so it was with great anticipation that I opened The Search Party and I was not disappointed. Such a well written and atmospheric story that will have you frantically turning pages to a most fitting and suspenseful ending. 

‘She keeps asking herself, how could one weekend spiral so dreadfully out of control?’

Basically this is a glamping trip that goes horribly wrong! Told from multiple points of view and moving back and forth in time, Hannah is very clear on character voice and timelines (she even includes a list of names) and pay attention to chapter dates so as never to be confused. The two timelines are the weekend away itself and then interspersed with police interviews in the aftermath. This is such an extremely clever technique in drip feeding character and plot clues along the way. 

‘Maybe their reunion weekend had brought the wildest, truest sides out in all of them  - one way or another.’

Three families are partaking in this glamping experience for the weekend and the various dynamics between the characters and has much to do with how events play out. There are disagreements, past histories, missing campers all played against a raging storm on the Cornwall coast. Tension builds, tempers fray, friendships are strained and it all comes to a raging and violent conclusion inline with the storm. 

‘It was as if the elemental wildness of the place had got under his skin, altered him. All his emotions rising to the surface.’

The Search Party is such a suspenseful and entertaining read you will find it hard to put down. There are many dramas and unfolding layers that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing to a fitting conclusion. 

‘In that moment, twenty years of friendship, of camaraderie, of pints in pubs and late-night bonding over music, of toasting each other’s weddings and children, of standing shoulder-to-shoulder through life’s ups and downs went skittering away on the wind.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.