[MPOV] Tuesday's Gone (Freida Klein #2)

My rating: 3/5

Goodreads rating: 3.96/5
Published: January 1, 2012
Author: Nicci French
Genre: Mystery, thriller, crime fiction

A London social worker makes a routine home visit only to discover her client serving afternoon tea to a naked, decomposing corpse. With no clues as to the dead man’s identity, Chief Inspector Karlsson again calls upon Frieda for help. She discovers that the body belongs to Robert Poole, con man extraordinaire. But Frieda can’t shake the feeling that the past isn’t done with her yet. Did someone kill Poole to embroil her in the investigation? And if so, is Frieda herself the next victim?

Nicci French used to be one of my favourite mystery crime authors. I still have a few unread titles on my bookshelf, so I thought to revisit this author. Maybe I have aged, or my palate has changed, as it has turned out to be an average read for me now.

Tuesday's Gone is the second book from the Freida Klein's series. I have not read any from this series and it can be read as a standalone as I didn't feel the gap. It somehow reminds me of the many female detective series like Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta or Ann Cleeve's Vera Stanhope, though on a different setting / premise. It definitely suited as a TV miniseries with the way it was written with all the extra fillers / subplots. Hence, I just couldn't wait to finish the book, to get to the end. The ending though, was kinda confusing for me as it sort of did a round robin and then the killer was found... so much for the anticipation. I do think that it will pan out nicely on TV though. 

Anyway, there are many new cozy mysteries popping up, I am spoilt for choice now! So, I plan to pick up books from my TBR piles on and off with the hopes to finish it all and not hoard any more books *fingers crossed* So, here's 1 of the many...

[Crochet] Gingerbread man

I have been on a long hiatus from my handmade crafts! Finally, I had a little crafting mojo back and started crocheting this adorable gingerbread man!!! Pattern by Marizza Toys.

What I have used:

• Yarns from Daiso
• Buttons from own collection
• Safety eyes
• Foam beads filling.

I have gifted this to one of my students. I hope she likes it and take this as a motivation to learn crochet better :-)

Bangkok: My thoughts on my recent travel there

So happy to finally leave on a jet plane and travel! I was in Bangkok recently and I honestly wished I could just stay there permanently! Most of the people we met there are so humble and friendly! Not forgetting the many yummy, delicious street food! 

Anyway, I am posting my thoughts on our hotel stay this time as I think most of you do know Bangkok or you can actually Google lots of info. We have taken loads of photos too and I have uploaded some to my Instagram so you can view it there at:

Susan Lee (@sholeesphere) • Instagram photos and videos

This time around, we have stayed in 2 hotels, The Key Bangkok and Palazzo Hotel. I wanted to highlight my experience here as it's such an eye-opening one that hubby and I decided we should just stick to boutique hotels in the future as opposed to staying in prominent ones.

A summary of both hotels:

• The Key Bangkok is located at Sukhumvit soi 19, a 3-star hotel with 7.9 rating in Agoda. Nearest train station is Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT stations and in the heart of all the buzz.
• Palazzo Hotel is located at Ratchadapisek Road, a 3.5-star hotel with 7.6 rating in Agoda. Nearest train station is Huai Kwang MRT station, and the nearest mall is The Street Mall which is a good 10 mins walk away.

The Key Bangkok was our first stay for 2 nights in Sukhumvit, 5 mins walk from Terminal 21 shopping mall. A quaint boutique hotel, we arrived 2 hours early from the usual 2pm check-in time. We were hoping for an early check-in since we were a little tired from having to wake up at 3am that morning to catch our flight to Bangkok. As expected, the front desk politely explained that they were fully booked and asked us to sit at the lounge to wait or to go to the mall for a walk. When we decided to sit and wait, the bellboy quickly offered us ''welcome drinks'' whilst we wait. Such class service from a small boutique hotel! Surprisingly, they were able to check us in an hour early! Unfortunately, we found out that the water was not flowing smoothly after shower, so we quickly informed the front desk and after some discussions, we topped up a little for a different type of room on higher floor. 

Overall, it was such a comfortable stay that I would rate them 4/5. What I liked:

• The staffs are very attentive. When we sat at the lounge outside, they would switch on the fan for us. Very friendly too with great hospitality! Even the bellboy would always smile and opened the door for us.
• Definitely very convenient location with shopping mall and train stations within 5 mins walk!
• Ample street food to satisfy our palates!
• Hotel WiFi was good.
• They have bathtub and good hot shower with nice toiletries.
• There's umbrella in the cupboard too!

What I didn't like:

• The pillows and bed were a tad soft for us.

When we came to Bangkok pre-Covid days, we always stay at Palazzo Hotel and there were lots of stuff going on there. Post-covid, we have been staying around Sukhumvit area so we thought of staying at Palazzo for 3 nights this time just to reminisce and check out Huai Kwang to which we eventually regretted. After checking out of The Key Bangkok, we took the MRT from Sukhumvit to Huai Kwang station. We reached the hotel nearly 2 hours early. After walking under the scorching sun for 10 mins, we were hoping for an early check-in which we had experienced before the last time plus we did indicate it during our booking.

Unfortunately, the front desk declined us with an abrupt response ''cannot''. "This cannot, that cannot, everything cannot... check-in time is 2pm... why don't you go out and have lunch first? You can leave your luggage with the bellboy." I was just too pissed for words! We thought of sitting at the lounge for a bit as we were so hot! 

Unfortunately, all the sofas were occupied by locals. Us tourists eventually had to sit on a hard, uncomfortable, long table / stool without any welcome drink, mind you. You can say I'm entitled or ''Karen'' but if you were in my shoes then, you would know how I felt. After cooling down somewhat, we left our luggages with the bellboy and headed out for lunch which was another 15 mins walk under the hot sun. Please bear in mind the temperature here is above 37*C ya... 

After we came back from lunch around 1.30ish, we waited near the front desk and the same staffs just looked and continued being ''busy''. By 1.45pm, I have lost my cool and went up to them. I asked if we were supposed to continue waiting until 2pm sharp or we can check-in now. Then only they decided we can check in!!! I saw the pre-prepared file being pulled out, and if my eyes were correct, the key card was pulled out from the file too!!! WTF!!! They could have just called us to check-in when we returned instead of me asking!!! No initiative at all!!! I was speechless and proceeded with the check-in process whilst fuming inside. We decided instantly we will NEVER EVER go back to this hotel! This used to be one of our favorite hotels but now, definitely the last...

TBH, I do not know what is wrong with their process! Just because we booked via Agoda with cheaper rates so we can be treated differently? Or because we are Asians and not Matt Salleh??? I cannot fathom what was going on in their mind or is this hotel so atas (high class = snobbish) and supposed to serve businessmen only??? Honestly, such bad impression given by the front desk!

Overall, it's 2/5 from me. Why 2 and not 1?

• The bed and pillows were comfy.
• The room maintenance was good and clean although dated.
• There's a post office at The Street Mall! I liked the simple, quiet mall here filled with locals shopping and not many tourists. Good cheap bargains too!

Aside from the bad front desk experience, here's what I didn't like:

• The old Panasonic hairdryer was blowing cold air... we just couldn't be bothered to complaint to the front desk and risks getting high blood pressure.
• Nothing much around the vicinity. Even the Huai Kwang night market has reduced with nothing much to see.
• Quite a distance from the places we wanted to go to and had to switch trains hence our travelling budget increased (from MRT to BTS or vice versa).
• Nearly forgot that we always have to open the door ourselves at the main entrance and the bellboys are always sullen looking except for 1 older chap who's very friendly. Honestly, I have never felt so ''unwelcome'' in a hotel before!

So much drama, right?!!! I'm just surprised with the level of courtesy and initiative between these 2 hotels. Moving forward, we are definitely staying at Sukhumvit area and boutique hotels, no more fancy schmancy atas ones for us. It is pointless when we have to pay more and yet they add a sour note to our rest-and-relax memorable holidays. 

[MPOV] Finding Chika: a little girl, an earthquake, and the making of a family.

My rating: 5/5

Goodreads rating: 4.46/5
Published: November 5, 2019
Author: Mitch Albom
Genre: non-fiction, memoir. inspirational

" Mitch Albom has done it again with this moving memoir of love and loss. You can’t help but fall for Chika. A page-turner that will no doubt become a classic.” --Mary Karr, author of The Liars’ Club and The Art of Memoir From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays With Morrie comes Mitch Albom’s most personal story to an intimate and heartwarming memoir about what it means to be a family and the young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change his heart.  Chika Jeune was born three days before the devastating earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. She spent her infancy in a landscape of extreme poverty, and when her mother died giving birth to a baby brother, Chika was brought to The Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince.

With no children of their own, the forty-plus children who live, play, and go to school at the orphanage have become family to Mitch and his wife, Janine. Chika’s arrival makes a quick impression. Brave and self-assured, even as a three-year-old, she delights the other kids and teachers. But at age five, Chika is suddenly diagnosed with something a doctor there says, “No one in Haiti can help you with.”

Mitch and Janine bring Chika to Detroit, hopeful that American medical care can soon return her to her homeland. Instead, Chika becomes a permanent part of their household, and their lives, as they embark on a two-year, around-the-world journey to find a cure. As Chika’s boundless optimism and humor teach Mitch the joys of caring for a child, he learns that a relationship built on love, no matter what blows it takes, can never be lost.

Told in hindsight, and through illuminating conversations with Chika herself, this is Albom at his most poignant and vulnerable. Finding Chika is a celebration of a girl, her adoptive guardians, and the incredible bond they formed—a devastatingly beautiful portrait of what it means to be a family, regardless of how it is made.

I had recently loss my furkid, Minnie, hence it was kinda hard and yet somehow it felt right to read this memoir. Life is a cycle from when you were born to when you die. Yet at times we tend to ponder on what if's or if only's, signs of regret at times, melancholy at others... the signs of grieving. 

The most precious thing you can give someone is your time, Chika, because you can never get it back. When you don't think about getting back, you've given it in love.

Anyway, I do find that it was truly well written, much better than Morrie's, maybe experiencing it first-hand brings out the best in the author, so to speak. Infused with many details to remember Chika by, in all her finest and hoping to never forget. It sure triggers the same with my mind wandering thinking of my dad and my furkid. My dad has passed away more than 10 years ago and to this day I still misses him though it isn't as raw as Minnie's as it has eased over time.

She broke down, sobbing, and my heart snapped in two, because I knew how hard that was to say. And I knew that you would listen to her. Two breaths. One.

A book I would highly recommend but do expect lots of sadness especially towards the end. If you are like me, a tissue box should be placed next to you. Some might not like the many treatments Chika had to endure to stay alive so do skip if you are not on the same page. 

[MPOV] The Inmate

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads rating: 4.10/5

Published: March 5, 2024

Author: Freida McFadden

Genre: Mystery, thriller, adult fiction

A gripping, twisty thriller from Freida McFadden, the New York Times author of The Housemaid and The Coworker!

The guiltiest people aren't always the ones behind bars…

As a new nurse practitioner at a maximum-security prison, Brooke Sullivan is taught three crucial rules: 

Treat all prisoners with respect.

Never reveal any personal information. 

Never EVER become too friendly with the inmates.

But nobody knows that Brooke has already broken the rules. Nobody knows about her intimate connection to Shane Nelson, one of the penitentiary's most notorious and dangerous inmates.

They certainly don't know that Shane was Brooke's high school sweetheart—the star quarterback, the golden boy who's serving a life sentence for a series of grisly murders. Or that Brooke's testimony was what put him there.

But Shane knows. He knows more than anyone. And he will never forget.

The Inmate is a propulsive, mind-bending thriller about how we define guilt—and who has to pay for it, from New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden.

Tons of gratitude to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this awesome e-ARC!!! I'm so glad for this chance and I've truly enjoyed the novel! Such an awesome ride to the unbeknownst!

It was an anxious start that had me felt nerve-wrecking and thinking what I have gotten myself into. The desire to stop is there as well as the anticipation on what is to come. As I flipped the pages, I slowly find it to sound a little like Sarah Michelle Gellar's 'I know what you did last summer' LOL!!! However, the more it progressed, the more confused I was on who did it?! Thankfully it's the e version so I couldn't just flip to the back to know how it ends :-)

I liked the clarity of the story, how it was written and identified past or present day. This novel does go back and forth in order to know what happened before and after. The author sure knows how to keep us guessing and guessing, without giving much away, only little nibling bits here and there! I am surprised at how it ended, not knowing who to believe from when it happened and then the unexpected suddenly pop-up! I was pleasantly surprised with the actual outcome!

I liked the overall premise of this novel though it isn't as dark or sinister, yet it was troubling and scary. I have only read her other novel, The Coworker, so I can't compare this with any of the author's work, but I did enjoy this one with a different depth to it. If you are looking for a mindboggling read, The Inmate is a good one to try from Freida McFadden.

[MPOV] Secrets of Castle Rowley (Rowley Family #1)

My rating: 3/5

Goodreads rating: 4.43/5
Published: October 31, 2023
Author: Matilda Lockwood
Genre: Historical fiction, romance, mystery

Annabel Barlow isn’t interested in handsome princes or fairytale weddings—all she wants is to curl up with a good book.

When unexpected events turn her world upside down, she enlists the help of new friends— a clever one-eyed woodcarver, a confident laundress, a sullen baron’s son, and a cheeky maid. A romance blossoms, and amidst the unfolding adventure, the group uncovers dark secrets lurking in the castle’s past.

Overall, it was a historical romance fiction that is filled with many secrets and adventures. With a mix of exuberant and melancholy feels, the storyline is not the usual girl meets boy type and it did get complicated in between. Also, the many characters involved and the many things going on truly had me thinking of a Diva Channel series LOL! If not for the romance trope, I would have thought it's a Young Adult novel. I did wish for a faster pace though as it was kinda dry and slow in the middle.

If you are looking for a refreshing romance read, do give this novel a try. 

I've received this e-copy from LibraryThings with much gratitude.

[MPOV] The Dutch House

My rating: 3/5

Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Published: September 24, 2019
Author: Ann Patchett
Genre: Historical fiction, family drama

At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.

The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.

Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives, they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.

This novel has won many literary awards. One would wonder why which is why I have bought it to satisfy my curiosity. Also, it has an attractive cover to boot. The story is narrated by Danny, which is about his family, the Conroys, from dad Cyril, mom Elna, sister Maeve and eventually stepmom Andrea with her daughters Norma and Bright. It revolves around the house they live in namely the Dutch House. 

Though the pace is a wee bit slow for me, I can see why it was nominated and has won many awards. The author took the time to describe the scenarios with clarity, making sure the readers understand it perfectly. The plot itself was methodically placed with care that everything falls into place neatly. Truth be told, it was like a family biography or legacy being told which happens to be surrounded around where they live in. 

If you like family dramas, then you should try The Dutch House. It was just too slow for me, slower than the usual movies on Diva channel so I tend to yawn more. It did feels like reading something educational and yet it is fiction, so to speak. 

[MPOV] Spirits Abroad

My rating: 3/5

Goodreads rating: 4.20/5
Published: June 21st, 2014
Author: Zen Cho
Genre: ghost stories, magical realism, short stories, sci-fi fantasy, anthologies

"If you live near the jungle, you will realize that what is real and what is not real is not always clear. In the forest there is not a big gap between the two."

A Datin recalls her romance with an orang bunian. A teenage pontianak struggles to balance homework, bossy aunties, first love, and eating people. An earth spirit gets entangled in protracted negotiations with an annoying landlord, and Chang E spins off into outer space, the ultimate metaphor for the Chinese diaspora.

Straddling the worlds of the mundane and the magical, Spirits Abroad collects ten science fiction and fantasy stories with a distinctively Malaysian sensibility.

This is a collection of 10 short stories about the Malaysian spirits, folklores and the likes written by Zen Cho. There is no doubt that she writes pretty well but I just wasn't into some of the stories. I seemed to be reading this in the wrong month too LOL! Overall, it was entertaining to a point, but such spirits/ghosts' stories are just not my cup of tea.

I've listed the 10 titles here so that you know what to expect lah.

1. The First Witch of Damansara

2. First National Forum on the Position of Minorities in Malaysia

3. The House of Aunts

4. One-day Travelcard for Fairyland

5. Rising Lion - The Lion Bows

6. The Mystery of the Suet Swain

7. Prudence and the Dragon

8. The Earth Spirit's Favorite Anecdote

9. Liyana

10. The Four Generations of Chang E

I've enjoyed a few like no 2, 3 and 7. If you like stories by Tunku Halim or Ee Leen Lee, then you should give this book a try.