The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra
I don’t tend to read much crime, but The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra pulled me in and kept me reading under my fluffy blanket. Set in 1920’s Bangalore, Kaveri sets out on a journey to figure out the mystery behind a murder at a party she was attending with her new husband.
Thinking she was moving to live a quiet life as a young wife in a conservative Asian household, she’s now in the midst of it all, trying to prove a vulnerable woman framed for the murder is innocent. Kaveri is a charming character, and you can’t help but root for her with the constraints of colonialism, sexism and traditions surrounding her.
Alisha
Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones’ first novel, Leaving Atlanta, is a fantastic coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of the infamous Atlanta child murders in 1979. Written from the perspective of three connected young characters, it’s a really interesting exploration of the vulnerability and naivety of children desperately trying to make sense of a chaotic and hostile world, as well as a fantastic demonstration of what setting and time period can do to a narrative.
Jones is a master storyteller, and for a novel that is not a traditional thriller by any stretch, it is a really gripping and empathetic read
Liv
Other People Husbands by Elizabeth Noble
A story of six couples who have been friends for over 20 years, when it is revealed that two if them have been having an affair, and how this affects not just their families but all the friends too.
I will admit it took me quite a while to get into this story and it felt like hard work to start with. It had so many characters and each chapter was narrated by a different person.
However, once I’d got my head around who was who, I couldn’t put it down. Each chapter left me wanting to read just one more. So, I’m really glad I stuck with it.
Chloe
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
Milk Fed is a funny, wild, erotic heart-breaking story of self-discovery.
Following Rachel, a lapsed Jew who has made calorie counting her religion, we watch her journey of countless therapy sessions, detox, and obsession.
Growing up, Rachel was raised following her mother’s obsessive calorie counting. Attempting to escape this, her therapist suggests a detox from her mother. During the early stages of her detox, Rachel meets Miriam- a quirky young Orthodox Jew who works at the local frozen yoghurt shop. As the two grow close, we see the journey for Rachel full of milk, mothers, and mysticism.
Overall, I found Rachel’s tale of food, sex, and God to be riveting. Never reading anything quite along these lines before, it was both bizarre and funny, and is definitely one I’d recommend.
Lauren
Nightwork by Nora Roberts
When Harry Booth was 9, his mum was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. With no one to help pay the mounting bills, Harry decides to form a lucrative business by stealing valuable items from wealthy houses at night. By pawning them off and helping his Aunt Mags keep up with the family cleaning business, he manages to keep the debts paid and food on the table.
Unfortunately, after three bouts of cancer, Harry’s mum passes away while he is still young, so he continues making money the only way he has ever known.
After coming into contact with the dangerous Carter LaPorte, who has learned of Harry’s faultless thieving and wants more than to hire him for some high stake jobs, Harry has no choice but to up and run, leaving behind his family home and the girl he has fallen in love with.
A pacy thriller which delves into the moral code of what is right and wrong with some great characters and a smattering of romance.