Category: Literary Fiction

  • The Anniversary by Cole Baxter

    The Anniversary by Cole Baxter

    The Anniversary

    The Anniversary by Cole Baxter

    Release: April 19, 2024

    Format: Ebook

    Publisher: Bookouture

    Source: Amazon
    Find it at: GoodreadsAmazon

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    I gaze across the candlelit table into the eyes of the man I love. It’s our anniversary dinner, a celebration of our marriage, of how far we’ve come. But within hours our romantic date has ended in murder…
    When I wake in a hospital bed, blinking under the blinding white lights, I hear someone saying there has been an accident. My heart misses a beat when I recognize my husband’s voice. He says I was driving the car. He says I’ve killed someone.
    I can’t breathe. I know I wasn’t the one behind the wheel. Tom was.
    The love of my life — the handsome, clever man I’ve been married to for five years — has betrayed me. But why? And on the anniversary of our wedding day…
    I need to uncover the secrets he’s been keeping. Before I lose my freedom — or my life…
    An absolutely gripping psychological thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists. For fans of The Doctor’s Wife, The Marriage and The Housemaid.

    About the Author:

    Cole Baxter loves writing psychological suspense thrillers. It’s all about that last reveal that he loves shocking readers with.
    He grew up in New York, where there crime was all around. He decided to turn that into something positive with his fiction.
    His stories will have you reading through the night–they are very addictive!

    Sign up for Cole’s VIP Reader Club and find out about his latest releases, giveaways, and more. Copy and paste this link to sign up: http://eepurl.com/dqL8yT
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    Goodreads | Amazon

    The Anniversary Review:

    “The Anniversary” by Cole Baxter is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. One of the standout elements of the book is Jessica, who plays a crucial supporting role. Her unwavering support for Catherine is heartwarming and adds depth to the story. On the other hand, Tom is an exceptionally conniving villain. Baxter crafts his character so skillfully that I actively disliked him, which is a testament to the author’s skill in creating memorable antagonists. Additionally, Det. Sheldon shines in the lead role; his character is likable and engaging, making him a perfect counterbalance to the story’s darker elements.

    Baxter’s writing style is another highlight of the book. He masterfully builds intensity in each scene, drawing readers into the narrative with a sense of urgency and suspense. This book isn’t the first one I’ve read by the author, who consistently delivers. His ability to create memorable scenes is evident, particularly in moments like the dramatic fire outbreak, the adrenaline-pumping car pursuit, and the climactic showdown. The author describes these scenes so vividly that I felt I was experiencing them firsthand.

    However, ‘The Anniversary’ has its minor flaws. Catherine, the protagonist, often comes across as a doormat. While the author’s intention to make her empathetic is clear, her constant need for support from others can be frustrating. Her inability to stand up for herself and take decisive action can make her less relatable and somewhat annoying.

    Despite this, the strong supporting characters and intense plot make ‘The Anniversary’ a compelling read that I recommend to fans of the genre.

  • A Burning by Megha Majumdar

    A Burning by Megha Majumdar

    A Burning

    A Burning by Megha Majumdar
    Release: June 2nd 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Knopf
    Source: Amazon
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    For readers of Tommy Orange, Yaa Gyasi, and Jhumpa Lahiri. An electrifying debut novel about three unforgettable characters who seek to rise. To the middle class, to political power, to fame in the movies, and find their lives entangled in the wake of a catastrophe in contemporary India.

    Jivan is a Muslim girl from the slums, determined to move up in life. She is accused of executing a terrorist attack on a train because of a careless comment on Facebook. PT Sir is an opportunistic gym teacher who hitches his aspirations to a right-wing political party. He finds that his own ascent becomes linked to Jivan’s fall. Lovely, an irresistible outcast whose exuberant voice and dreams of glory fill the novel with warmth and hope and humor. She has the alibi that can set Jivan free, but it will cost her everything she holds dear.

    Taut, symphonic, propulsive, and riveting from its opening lines, A Burning has the force of an epic while being so masterfully compressed it can be read in a single sitting. Majumdar writes with dazzling assurance at a breakneck pace on complex themes. Themes that read here as the components of a thriller: class, fate, corruption, justice, and what it feels like to face profound obstacles and yet nurture big dreams in a country spinning toward extremism. An extraordinary debut. 

    About the AuthorA Burning

    MEGHA MAJUMDAR was born and raised in Kolkata, India. She moved to the United States to attend college at Harvard University, followed by graduate school in social anthropology at Johns Hopkins University. She works as an editor at Catapult, and lives in New York City. A Burning is her first book.

    Website || Instagram || Twitter

    A Burning Review:

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    I am speechless after reading this book. This is one of those stories that you will remember after reading. It beautifully highlights the problems we face as a society. It showcases so many problems like corruption, injustice, socio-economic, religious and political issues that is common in today’s society very nicely told in this novel. Moreover, you slowly see the how fate plays into the three characters. Lovely and PT Sir experience first hand how their career and lifestyle changes if they speak the truth versus giving the public what they want. However, unfortunately, Jivan becomes the scapegoat for the society. She has no power to stand her ground because she is from the slums. 

    Moreover, I can’t believe that this is the author’s debut novel. She has done such an amazing job in the storytelling. The book is relatively small which you can finish in on sitting. She beautifully narrates how Jivan’s life impacts Lovely and PT Sir, even though they don’t meet each other for most of the story. Also, the story never feels dull because the author narrates the tale from alternate point of views. Personally, I loved reading all the three characters. Moreover, I loved how Jivan’s life frashbacks to the incidents leading to her arrest through her interview with the media. My heart went out to Jivan and it was so difficult to read her storyline. Also, even Lovely’s storyline was very gripping! You see how society ostracizes her for being a hijra, and how she has to grab on to any opportunity to earn their respect.

    Overall, If you are looking for a gripping, contemporary read, you should definitely read A Burning by Megha Majumdar.

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