Review: Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson

I read three of Joshilyn Jackson's novels several years ago, and while I rated them all 3 or 4 stars, I was never quite blown away by her stories. They all started out so promisingly, but left me disappointed in one way or another. I was hesitant to give Mother May I a chance for this reason, but the synopsis made it seem like Jackson might have more success writing thrillers than the women's fiction she wrote early on in her career. Keeping in mind how prepared I was not to love another one of her books, I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I absolutely could not put it down. The story weaved every which way and the suspense and surprises just kept coming from beginning to end. I am so glad I gave this one a chance and I think fans of the mystery/thriller genre will enjoy it as well!

Bree Cabbat is the wife of a successful lawyer and the mother of three children-two teenage daughters and an infant son. Life is wonderful and problem-free until the morning Bree wakes up to see an old crone peering through her bedroom window. She can't shake the feeling that this witchy-woman was up to no good and her suspicions prove right when her son is kidnapped immediately after Bree spots the mystery woman a second time. A note is left behind instructing Bree to return home and tell no one what has happened. She does as she's told, desperate to get her son back. It turns out the woman has a plan for Bree and if she does not follow instructions to the letter, her son will be killed. The narrative continues as Bree fulfills these demands and tries to uncover why her family is being targeted by this woman. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the pages turning and the characters are well developed.

I want to go so much more in depth with this because there's a lot more to this story, but I don't want to spoil anything. As a mother, I found Bree easy to empathize with. Just imagining being in her shoes ramped up my anxiety. The themes of this story are very timely considering the way the world views and treats women. I feel like there was an important message underneath all of the drama and suspense, which I completely support and appreciate. Long story short, go read this book!

My Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5

*Thanks to the author, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!  

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on April 6th, 2021.

Review: The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon

"There's something in the water." In Jennifer McMahon's latest novel about a hot springs that grants miracles, this is most definitely true. If you're familiar with McMahon's work, then you know she has perfected the creepy ghost story. Her novels are usually classified as mystery and sometimes get labeled as horror, but it's a very subtle sort of fear that she creates for her readers. I read The Winter People years ago and remember being unsettled down to my core after I finally finished it. I've never really been big into ghost stories, but McMahon writes in such a way that I never realize I've crossed into supernatural territory. Maybe that's what makes her stories so downright chilling.

In The Drowning Kind, people from all around the country travel to visit some mysterious springs that are said to cure ailments of every kind and grant miracles. The locals tell people to stay away and warn that the springs give, but they also take away. Readers follow the story of two women, Ethel and Jackie (aka Jax) and their experiences with the mystical water. Ethel's narrative takes place in flashbacks, back when a hotel that tried to profit from the springs met a tragic end. Ethel asked the springs to grant her deepest desire-a baby. The springs deliver on that request almost immediately, but it doesn't take long for Ethel to realize that along with every blessing, there is a curse to balance out the forces in the universe. 

Meanwhile in present day, Ethel's great-great-granddaughter Jax is mourning the death of her mentally ill sister, Lex, who drowned in the springs while living alone at the family estate. Lex had called Jax several times the night of her death, leaving manic messages for her sister about the water in the springs. Jax chose not to answer and now lives with the guilt of knowing she'll never get the chance to speak with her sister again. Her death makes no sense to Jax because Lex knew those springs like the back of her hand, having swam in them daily since she was a small child. Jax arrives to the property only to find the house in a peculiar state. All the light bulbs have been busted out of the sockets and every surface is covered with cryptic notes written in Lex's handwriting. Jars of water are scattered everywhere and upon further inspection, Jax realizes that Lex was investigating the springs when she died. Perhaps her sister had actually stumbled upon something during her investigation that could explain her untimely death? Jax decides to continue her sister's research, but it takes her down a dark road from which there may not be a way to turn back.

This was such an enjoyable book! I've been a fan of Jennifer McMahon's writing for awhile now, but even I was surprised how much I ended up liking this one. Like I said before, it didn't keep me up at night from fear, but it was scary in a much more nuanced way. I was starting to feel a little disappointed as I neared the end of the book, not really liking the way it was wrapping up and then WHAM! The story shifts just a tad and blows me away. I loved that ending! If you've ever read McMahon's other novels, you should definitely check this one out and if you haven't, then do yourself a favor and start reading one on a chilly, dark night. I guarantee you'll be spooked!

My Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5

*Thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!  

At the time of this review, this title will be available to purchase on April 6th, 2021.

Review: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

When done well, historical fiction can be pure magic! I can't think of a title I've read recently that has
gripped my attention so firmly as The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Everything about this novel is executed perfectly, from the authentic depictions of late 18th century London to the characterization of the three female protagonists. I've read that this is her novel debut and if that is true, Sarah Penner has quite a gift. Make this your next read and you will not be disappointed!

The storyline of Penner's tale seamlessly weaves together the lives of three remarkable women: Caroline, Nella, and Eliza. Caroline is a modern-day woman who discovers an old apothecary shop bottle while on a mudlarking tour in London. She's supposed to be enjoying a 10-year anniversary trip with her husband, but recent developments in their relationship resulted in this being a solo journey for Caroline. Researching the mysterious vial she's discovered serves to be the perfect distraction from dealing with the drama that has become her marriage. Her initial findings reveal a 200-year-old mystery surrounding an apothecary responsible for many poisoning deaths in the area. Determined to uncover as much information about this enigmatic woman as possible, Caroline soon makes another discovery that could possibly be the key to finally identifying London's first female serial killer.

The novel jumps back in time to tell Nella and Eliza's interconnected tale. Nella is the female apothecary who has a secret business on the side selling poisonous concoctions to women looking to get rid of the men in their lives. She conducts her business according to two simple rules: first, only men can be victims of her elixirs, never women and two, she must record every transaction in her registry. She writes down every transaction, including the names of the purchaser and the intended victim. One day, Eliza, a 12 year-old girl, shows up at Nella's shop looking to purchase a deadly remedy on her mistress's behalf. The intended recipient is the master of the house who has begun to cast his predatory eyes onto Eliza. Without knowing it, Nella and Eliza's paths will cross again, leading to an unexpected friendship and a cataclysmic event.

It's rare for me to like all the characters in a novel, but Penner created such a wonderful trio in Caroline, Nella, and Eliza that it was impossible not to love these women. I was rooting for Caroline to find her place in the world and even though the other two ladies passed away long ago, I still found myself hoping for them to have a happy ending. These characters will stay with me for a long time.

I was also delighted to find I learned a few new things while reading this novel. I had never heard of 'mudlarking' before and now I hope I can try it sometime because it sounds so fun! I'm sure I'll be disappointed at not finding a historical artifact right out of the gate like Caroline did, but either way, it sounds like a great experience. I also got a chance to learn some new vocabulary. Fun fact: the word 'apothecary' is used to refer to a person who sells medicines, much like a pharmacist or chemist today. I had always heard the term used to describe an old-timey pharmacy, but apparently it was more common to refer to a person as an apothecary and their place of business as an apothecary shop. Maybe that's already well-known, but I thought I'd share since it was news to me!

Overall, this was a fabulous read. I actually contemplated waking up EARLY after staying up late just so I could continue the story. I didn't end up doing that, but the fact I even seriously considered it should be a testament to how much I enjoyed this novel!

My Rating: ★★★★★ out of 5

*Thanks to the author, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!