The Covenant Of Water by Abraham Varghese

It's hard to believe, but this is my first 5-star book of the year. Phew. A 700+ page epic spanning 7 decades with three generations of incredible characters in South India. Shedding tears over a fictional character is completely valid.

The story starts with Mariamma, who was wed at the age of twelve to a forty-year-old man around 1900. In every generation of her husband's family, there is a pattern of death by drowning. This tragic fate seems to pass down to their children like a curse. Their marriage endured through thick and thin. Mariamma is such a strong main character who becomes a respected matriarch of the family. Throughout this epic emphasis is on strong hierarchies of caste system, colonization and the incredibly diverse culture of India.

Digby Kilgour enlisted in the Indian Medical Services hoping to develop as a surgeon and disembark in India, a different place from Glasgow. There is a lot going on in this story as different characters deal with the intertwining storylines and histories. The way the characters intersected in the story timeline left a strong impression on me. Mariamma jr bears an uncanny resemblance to her grandmother. She began her neurosurgical training and discovered her family-inherited disorder with distressing revelations hidden. In summation, it's a satisfying ending.

🍂 What defines a family isn't blood but the secrets they share.

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store

Death In a Lonely Place by Stig Abell

Just a short distance from A Little Sky, where Jake Jackson resided, a five-year-old girl was kidnapped. The only trace left behind was a business card bearing the words NO TABOO. Chief Inspector Watson deduced that it was likely connected to a past case that Jake had investigated. NO TABOO denotes a group of crimes that have not been punished. Strangely, the girl was located safe and sound through an anonymous tip. 

Jake and Livia receive an invitation from Sam Martison, a notable billionaire, to a house party where they rub shoulders with wealthy and powerful guests known for their questionable reputation. Jake suspects they have ties to NO TABOO. Pretty much of a coincidences, huh?? The gathering like intentionally vague to me. Things were too exaggerated when they were getting ready to play a murder mystery game. The way the story was written was effective in creating a rich tapestry. I have a mixed love-hate reaction to this book as a result.

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. My opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores 

You Know What You Did by K. T. Nguyen

Annie Shaw, a rising local artist has led a nearly perfect life. Her family fled Vietnam by boat during the war and was fortunate enough to build a new life in America. Her mother was from the typical mindset of an Asian Mom. She has an obsessive disorder and controls every aspect of Annie's life. 

Her life changed when she met Duncan Shaw. He was a dependable and compassionate man she could rely on. Unfortunately, her mother's death and her dog was poison took a toll on her mind. She started taking medication and struggling with sleep deprivation. The stress affected her mental health when she became a person of interest in the death of her client and her secret companion's body was covered in spider bites. Someone must have framed her. The world can be a scary place to navigate when you are betrayed by the person whom you trusted the most!

I have to admit, I almost dnf'ed the book. The reason is I can't tolerate an unlikeable character. Annie struggles to articulate her thoughts. Other than a slow pace, there would always be some part that would be missing and something goes wrong in this setting to sink in. Although the plot takes its time to unfold, it's well worth the wait, I guess.

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. My opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores 

End of Story by A. J. Finn

What the fish. 

I think some people make the mistake of making excuses when they’re apologizing to their children. What's worse than not saying sorry is saying it for the sake of it. This is what happened to Sebastian Trapp, a well-known mystery novelist.

His wife and son went missing in 1999 from separate locations, seemingly vanishing into thin air. Since then, he has refrained from discussing their disappearance and has been on a hiatus.

Nicky Hunter was considered lucky to receive a response from her beloved author. Until their latest correspondence, she was invited to his house to tell his story for the sake of a dying man.

The author takes on a rollercoaster ride of emotions when a new Mrs Trapp is found dead in a goldfish pond. Suicide seemed very out of character. With new mysteries unfolding, the story kept me captivated especially the vibes. Instead of the slow-burn mystery, the twists are unexpected. I didn't see that coming! 4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. My opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores 

Sebenarnya Ilusi by Paksa Tulis

Muhammad Seth hampir diculik oleh sindiket menjual organ kanak-kanak semasa kecil. Penyelamatnya mati dipukul oleh penculik. Walaupun peristiwa itu berlaku 22 tahun lepas, Seth mengalami post-trauma yang menjejaskan hidupnya. Dia merasakan yang kematian penyelamatnya dulu dan perpisahan ibu bapanya sebagai punca permasalahan hidupnya.

Orked pula berjuang mendapatkan phd. Melakukan pelbagai kerja dalam satu masa bagi menampung kehidupan dan komitmen disebabkan dia tidak dapat menamatkan pengajian seperti yang ditetapkan hingga terpaksa merahsiakan masalah dari ibu bapanya di kampung.

Mereka dipertemukan dalam grab yang dipandu Orked. Dan dari situ hubungan mereka mula berputik. Nampak klise tapi bagi aku topik depresi yang dialami Orked betul-betul memberi kesan. Ditambah pula cerita ini berdasarkan pengalaman penulis sendiri. Beberapa kali juga aku lap air mata ni. Apa yang aku boleh katakan walaupun kita di kelilingi keluarga dan sahabat, namun jangan ambil mudah depresi dan kesihatan mental. Sila dapatkan rawatan dari pakar! Terima kasih penulis kerana menghadiahkan naskhah realis ini sempena giveaway di X. Semoga impian penulis untuk melihat karya ini di kaca tv tercapai. 4 ⭐️