"Knit Happens...then Murder", by Tessa Aura

Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery Book#12

A cozy mystery

This engaging story delivers a witty, clean and cozy mystery set in a charming small-town and features Penelope Sinclair. The story centers on the murder of a yarn shop owner Evelyn Harper and the investigation that follows. Oh! I must not forget the Chihuahua sidekick, Teo.

I was offered this book by the author and wish to thank her many times. This mystery was a good introduction to Ms. Aura witty writing and twisty yet cozy mystery genre. Definitely this is a puzzle driven story that has some humour and warmth into it and a satisfying whodunit. The author has a knack to keep her reader guessing till the very last chapter.

The characters make this story come to live, they are dynamic and simply love their interaction especially during the knitting sessions...:) not what to love when a new member, a detective, looking for answers pretends to love knitting…

I zipped through this story in no time. With its light style and its 180 pages it was smooth sailing all through.

If you pick up this series mid-way no fear you will blend in no problems

"Library of Forbidden books", by Mario Escobar

Based on the heroic true stories of librarians that fought back.

Berlin 1933

“Library of Forbidden Books”, follows Helene Nathan, one of the first female librarian, as she works at a prestigious German Library to save ahead of the systematic purge of literature the books targeted to public burnings. Helene and her colleagues embark on a perilous mission secretly collecting and hiding the very books slated for destruction…..this is her story.

The book is divided in three sections and an Epilogue.

This story goes from feeling fiction to slightly academic at times, no doubts it is well researched. The first part of the book focuses on Helen’s upcoming marriage to Derek, an Aryan army officer, and the rise of Nazim. The tempo soon picks up as Helen faces consequences for hiding the books. A dangerous act of defiance in a city where neighbors could be an informant and the Gestapo are a constant threat.

The chapters are short and the story is easy to follow and very engaging. I am fond of the author’s writing style: no- nonsense, no filler words and well-said.

Mr. Escobar has penned a gripping tale of courage and the profound power of literature as resistance and delivered this wonderful story with vivid although sad words. Be sure after reaching the end to read the Clarifications From History and the timeline of events.

I enjoy reading this author he is one of my favourites

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"The Sufi Surfer", by Sharif Khan

Amer Fateh, an eccentric surfer living in a tent in the Big Sur coastal wilderness is on a quest for his divine double. A job offer by Guru Don at a mountain sight retreat is just what he needed and Amer happily accepts, unaware he just joined a cult… and the journey commences for this mystic misfit Sufi surfer…

My thoughts:

Honestly this story was not for me, I simply couldn’t get into it. It is said to be some kind of comedy but I couldn’t see the humour at all, or was it my state of mind wasn’t into it. I really don’t have a great sense of humour I suppose. To make reading difficult there are too many words and expressions in foreign language spread throughout without no translation, that didn’t help to keep my mind to stay with it....This story is heavily focussed on fart and poop jokes, is that funny?

This story is the wackiest and wandering one I ever read. Didn’t like the story nor the characters….end of my thoughts….please forgive me Mr. Khan.

I may not have liked this story but maybe you will so don’t take my words for it, judge for yourself.

My thanks to the author for this ARC