Category: From My Bookshelf

There are lots of books stacked on my bookshelf. When I pick one of them, I dive into the amazing world created by an author as soon as I open the cover. However, there is always “the end” written on the last page of the book. Have you ever felt that you are in the same world with those characters? Witnessing those scenes written on pages in your hand, hearing voices of characters speaking dialogues scripted for them? There are a few books which have taken me in their world. And I must say, they are magnificent. Valentia created by Rajamayyoor Sharma is on top of my head as far as Indian fiction is concerned while James Clavel has taken me to mediaeval Japan. I have roamed around London with Sherlock and Poirot.

And yet, the journey in those realms, started from the cover page, has its end marked. The author takes the characters by hand and takes them to their destination by the end of the book. They fulfil their destiny. If a writer chooses to give happy moments at the end, we enjoy them. If it’s a tragedy, characters at least get closure at the end. Many times, I wish to ask the author if he or she has forgotten to write something for me? What about my destiny at the end? What about my share of the closure? Haven’t you thought about me as an uninvited traveller on this journey when you wrote a book?

Here you will find my reflections on my readings. Hope you will also enjoy these stories as much as I did.

  • History Comes Alive as Iris Woodmore Solves New Mysteries

    History Comes Alive as Iris Woodmore Solves New Mysteries

    The peace of Walden is shattered with a proposal of building a luxury hotel on the banks of Waldenmere Lake where General Cheverton’s historic mansion stands. The British Army is looking to sell the lake and mansion to the highest bidder. Discovery of General’s body shakes everyone in town. For young reporter Iris Woodmore, the investigation turns devastatingly personal when her best friend is also found dead on the muddy shores.

    As suspicion falls on those dear to her, Iris must navigate her grief to unmask a killer. A gripping, atmospheric mystery that kept me turning pages until the very end!

    The way it’s produced

    This is the second installment of the Iris Woodmore mysteries I’ve listened to, following Death at Crookham Hall. Reflecting on my previous blog post, I realized I missed a crucial point: an audiobook requires more than just a compelling plot to be successful; it requires high-quality production. Having recorded an audiobook for Storytel myself, I know this firsthand. Boldwood Books has clearly prioritized production value here, and Polly Edsell is the perfect narrative voice for this series.

    History as a recurring character

    Continuing the trend from the first book, History acts as a constant, vivid supporting character. While the previous story explored the suffragette movement, this tale delves into the lingering horrors of the Great War and the reality of shell shock. The plot captures a specific post-war tension: the struggle of landowners to maintain properties that were requisitioned for the war effort once the troops were demobbed. Central to this is a lakeside estate at Waldenmere, a setting so atmospheric it feels like a protagonist in its own right.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: Murder at Waldenmere Lake
    • Author: Michelle Salter
    • Publisher: Boldwood Books
    • Publication date: March 21, 2023 
    • Audiobook length: 9 hours and 42 minutes
    • e-book ISBN 13: 9781837510504
    • Audiobook ISBN 13: 9781837510443
    • Paperback ISBN 13: 9781837510481

    My rating

    Story: 4/5
    Writing Style: 3/5
    Cover Design: 3/5

    Overall Rating: 3.5/5

    Where to by

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Sameeksha Reads.

  • Why Iris Woodmore is the Protagonist to Watch

    Why Iris Woodmore is the Protagonist to Watch

    Intriguing protagonist to watch, Iris Woodmore is a young reporter at a local newspaper. She finds herself entangled in multiple mysteries from uncovering a truth behind a suspicious death to searching for a missing person. But, these current investigations reopen old wounds making past and present collide.

    Michelle Salter, has crafted a sharp, rebellious amateur sleuth in young Irish Woodmore. Set in Southern England between the World Wars, the story captures a world in flux; a time when society was being reshaped and new “normals” were just beginning to take root.

    Weaving history with mystory

    Michelle Salter offers a unique perspective on a pivotal milestone in England’s social history; the women’s rights movement, where activists famously reclaimed a term originally meant to derogate them. The backstories of these Suffragettes are every bit as fascinating as the central mystery.

    It is rare to find a book that balances nuanced historical context with a compelling main plot so seamlessly. While this is a difficult feat to achieve in crime fiction, Salter has done an exceptional job.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: Death at Crookham Hall
    • Author: Michelle Salter
    • Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
    • Publication date: June 17, 2021 
    • Audiobook length: 8 hours and 37 minutes
    • e-book ISBN 13:  978-1837510344
    • paperback ISBN 13: 978-1837510405

    My rating

    Story: 4/5
    Writing Style: 3/5
    Cover Design: 3/5

    Overall Rating: 3.5/5

    Where to buy

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ 
    hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Sameeksha Reads.

  • Why You Need to Visit Batty Hole This Weekend

    Why You Need to Visit Batty Hole This Weekend

    Once Britain’s greatest magical prodigy, Sera Swan now lives a quiet life running an inn with her great-aunth Jasmine and a bunch of a chaotic lodgers who ended up at the inn for a night but stayed on. They soon gelled up like a chosen family.

    Everything changes when Sera uses a forbidden spell to resurrect her Jasmine, a desperate act that costs her both almost all of her magic and her place in the elite British Guild. Exiled by her power-hungry mentor, Albert Grey, Sera spends fifteen years in the magical shadows, maintaining Batty Hole, a bartered inn, held up by old angry magical spell which keeps away the troublemakes but lures those who are lost and broken.

    Her chance at redemption arrives via a rare restoration spell written in a forgotten tongue. With the help of Luke Larsen, a charming Guild historian who stirs more than just her hope, Sera begins a journey to reclaim her power. But Albert hasn’t forgotten his only true rival and he’ll do anything to ensure she stays powerless.

    Meet the lodgers!

    Jasmine Ponnappa (Great-aunt): A wise matriarc who once died but resurected by Sera; which almost cost Sera her magic. Known for her unconditional love, wisdom and care.

    Clamie (Clamentine Bennet): A witch trapped in a fox body as a result of a failed attempt to curse Albert Grey; the power-hungry villain.

    Matilda: An old lady who came to inn years ago and never left. She’s a garderner who’s very possasive of vegetable patch. She has a dream to have goats on her farm.

    Nicholas: A 23 years old who is way too much invested into his role of a knight from a cosplay at the nearby Medieval Fair that he is always in his suit of armor.

    Theo: A magical eleve-years-old cousin, came to live sera as his non-magical parents don’t know how to deal with him and his powers and raise him.

    Roo-Roo: A zombie skeletal chicken which came back from dead as a side effect of Sera’s reserection spell while reviving Jasmine.

    Posy: A youngest member of the family who’s autistic younger sibling of Luke Larsen. She takes refuge at the inn but spreads joyful energey around herself.

    Luke Larsen: A grumpy magical historian who ends up being a love interest of sara and a reluctant member of the family to begin with. But ends up being a strong support and caregiver for the inn and it’s family.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: A Witch’s Guide To Magical Innkeeping
    • Author: Sangu Mandanna
    • Publisher: Berkley, A Penguin Random House Imprint
    • Publication date: 15 July 2025
    • Pages: 340
    • ISBN – 13: 9781399709934
    • Kindle e-book Price: ₹ 371.70

    My rating

    Story: 4/5
    Writing Style: 4/5
    Cover Design: 4/5

    Overall Rating: 4/5

    Grab your copy

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Cerebration​ – Think with body, mind & soul.

  • A case of misplaced beliefs – New Alfa Case

    A case of misplaced beliefs – New Alfa Case

    For years, there has been a “detective-shaped” hole in Marathi crime fiction; until now. Sourabh Wagle introduces us to Alfa, a brilliant young sleuth who is exactly what the genre needed. I first discovered this series when Wagle was publishing exclusively on Kindle, thanks to a recommendation from my fellow blogger, Varsha. After hearing me rant about the lack of detectives in Marathi literature during our travels in Varanasi, she pointed me toward Alfa and she wasn’t wrong. I am now officially hooked and constantly find myself looking forward to the next case.

    डिटेक्टिव्ह अल्फा आणि ग्रामदेवतेचा प्रकोप (Detective Alfa and Wrath of the Protector) is set in a small village in Konkan, near Mumbai. The community is paralyzed by the fear of their protector deity’s wrath. This constant dread has forced the villagers to abide by an odd daily routine and perform strange rituals during their annual festival.

    An anonymous letter warning of this descending “wrath” brings Alfa and his partner, Prabhav, to the village. Soon after their arrival, people begin dropping dead under mysterious circumstances. Curiosity gets the better of them, and they begin investigating the strange occurrences; even though the local police have already dismissed the deaths as an “Act of God.”

    Whether Alfa can uncover the truth behind these superstitions is a mystery you will have to read to solve.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: डिटेक्टिव्ह अल्फा आणि ग्रामदेवतेचा प्रकोप
    • Author: Sourabh Wagale
    • Publisher: Dilipraj Prakashan
    • Publication date: December 2025
    • Pages: 190
    • ISBN – 13: 978-81-991872-9-0
    • Kindle e-book Price: ₹ 320

    My rating

    Story: 4/5
    Writing Style: 5/5
    Cover Design: 4.5/5

    Overall Rating: 4.5/5

    Grab your copy

    Should you read it?

    I have been fan of all the Detective Alfa books. They haven’t disapointed me and this one is no exception to this statement either. So feel free if you are into a crisp Crime Fiction.

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Cerebration​ – Think with body, mind & soul.

  • Ladies’ Tailor: The best story from the Partition era

    Ladies’ Tailor: The best story from the Partition era

    My experience with books set during the time of India’s Partition has been, frankly, underwhelming. I’ve read quite a few, but most failed to strike the right balance between portraying the horrors endured by refugees and the eternal hope they carried in their hearts. That’s why Priya Hajela’s Ladies’ Tailor stands out. It’s arguably the most compelling book I’ve read about that turbulent time.

    Best book set in the partition times

    At the centre of the story is Gurudev, a Sikh man from a small village in West Punjab. The novel opens with his family’s harrowing journey to Delhi as refugees. While this treacherous migration is a key element; as it is in many Partition narratives; Ladies’ Tailor is much more than a story of escape and loss. It’s about resilience. It’s about how people, even in the bleakest of times, held on to dreams of rebuilding their lives from scratch, armed with little more than hope and determination.

    Though the novel primarily follows Gurudev’s story, Priya Hajela skillfully weaves in a tapestry of other experiences through vivid story arcs of supporting characters. She doesn’t shy away from portraying the full spectrum of human behaviour. Some people took advantage of the chaos, while others offered selfless help, even risking their own safety for mere acquaintances. Her characters are authentic and layered, reflecting the complex nature of humanity during a crisis.

    I’d be negligent if I ended this post without mentioning the stunning cover. It’s not just beautiful; it’s deeply symbolic. In fact, it’s the most captivating cover I’ve come across in 2025. The design thoughtfully captures the novel’s key themes: tailoring and clothing as a profession, Gurudev’s love for literature, the deep yearning for embroidery artists left behind in Pakistan, and the dual imagery of fire and small green vines—representing both the devastation of Partition and the unyielding hope that persists in the human spirit. All of this is set against a lovely pink background adorned with delicate embroidery motifs. A true work of art, I must say.

    Here’s what blurb says

    This is a story of Gurdev and his cohort, a group of refugees who travel east from Pakistan after Partition. It is a tale of falling apart and coming together as the world burns around them.

    Will Gurdev be successful in his new business of making garments for women? Will he find love after his wife and children leave his side? There may be uncertainty here, but there is also relentless hope.

    Journey back in time and experience the refugee spirit as Ladies’ Tailor captures you with all its romance, adventure and one man’s iron will to not just survive, but to thrive with new beginnings.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: Ladies’ Tailor
    • Author: Priya Hajela
    • Publisher: Harper Collins India
    • Publication date: 17 June 2022
    • Pages: 304
    • ISBN – 10: 9356290571
    • ISBN – 13: 978-9356290570
    • Kindle e-book Price: ₹ 399

    My ratings

    Story: 5/5
    Writing Style: 5/5
    Cover Design: 5/5

    Overall Rating: 5/5

    Where to get your copy

    Should you read it?

    Guys, I found my first 5 star read of 2025, and you still asking me should you read it? You are missing a great book if you don’t read this one.

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

  • When you are looking for that eluding memory

    When you are looking for that eluding memory

    There are moments when a memory hasn’t completely faded, but it’s no longer vivid either; just some scattered fragments lingering in your mind. Often, these elusive memories are about food. A familiar waft of tadka your dadi once added to a simmering dal, or the faint aftertaste of a unique dish prepared to mark a special celebration. These fragments may be small, but you hold on to them tightly, trying to savor them forever.

    Sometimes, the craving to relive these memories through food becomes so strong, it drives you to great lengths. You might travel miles to revisit the place where you first tasted that dish, or reconnect with a long-lost friend or relative just for a familiar bite. But what if everything has changed? What if the people and places are no longer there?

    This is the very question that Hisashi Kashiwai explores in Kamogawa Food Detectives.

    When you are looking for that eluding memory,

    you should wander down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto, Japan, and seek out Mr. Kamogawa and his daughter. A retired police officer, Mr. Kamogawa now uses his unique skills for a different kind of investigation; tracking down forgotten recipes that match the faint traces of your memory: a smell, a taste, something just out of reach.

    This quest to recover lost flavors becomes a journey, not just through Japanese cuisine, but through the culture and landscapes of the country itself. Together with Mr. Kamogawa, you travel through various prefectures, uncovering stories hidden in local dishes and traditions.

    And when he returns from his travels, it’s in the small, unassuming restaurant he runs with his daughter where the magic happens. There, in that humble space, you don’t just relive old memories, you create new ones.

    From the blurb

    What’s the one dish you’d do anything to taste just one more time?
    Down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto exists a very special restaurant. Run by Koishi Kamogawa and her father Nagare, the Kamogawa Diner treats its customers to wonderfully extravagant meals. But that’s not the main reason to stop by . . .
    The father-daughter duo have started advertising their services as ‘food detectives’. Through ingenious investigations, they are capable of recreating a dish from their customers’ pasts – dishes that may well hold the keys to forgotten memories and future happiness.
    From the widower looking for a specific noodle dish that his wife used to cook, to a first love’s beef stew, the restaurant of lost recipes provides a link to the past – and a way to a more contented future.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: The Kamogawa Food Detectives
    • Author: Hisashi Kashiwai
    • Publisher: Mantle
    • Publication date: 5 October 2023
    • Pages: 209
    • ISBN – 10: 0593717716
    • Kindle e-book Price: ₹ 499

    My ratings

    Stories: 4/5
    Writing Style: 3/5
    Cover Design: 4/5

    Overall Rating: 3.5/5

    Where to get your copy

    Should you read it?

    How strong is your craving for that old taste you once enjoyed? Worth a read for that memory, of food, people and places!

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.

    This post is also a part of #BlogchatterFoodFest.