mandikaye's reviews
916 reviews

 I usually figure out the twists. This time, I didn’t. And that alone is enough to make This Book Will Bury Me a standout read. 

 

As someone who has been obsessed with true crime podcasts in the past, this book was right up my alley. I loved being immersed in the world of web sleuthing—it felt raw, real, and unsettlingly authentic. Jane’s grief for her father bled through the pages, making her obsession with solving these crimes feel not just compelling, but deeply human. Her motivations extended far beyond her internet investigations, and that made her feel like a fully fleshed-out character rather than just a protagonist driving a mystery forward. 

 

One of the moments that stuck with me was Jane’s realization that, despite how much she’d shared and bonded with her online friends, meeting them in person was a stark reminder that they were still just strangers on the internet. That nuance—along with the complex dynamics between the sleuthing group, law enforcement, and the wider online true crime community—was handled so well. 

 

This book was gripping, emotional, and brilliantly plotted. It burrowed into my mind and didn’t let go. If you love true crime, intricate mysteries, and characters that feel real, this one is a must-read. 

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-hearted was fine—an easy, enjoyable read, but not one that will stick with me. It was nice to have a main character my age, which isn’t something I come across as often as I’d like, and the setting was charming. Who doesn’t love the idea of starting over in a Parisian bookshop? 

 

That said, the dialogue—specifically the Gen Z slang from the main character’s daughter—felt a bit over the top. Seeing words like “mid,” “rizz,” and “cheugy” sprinkled throughout just pulled me out of the story. (What even is cheugy, anyway?) It felt like the author was trying a little too hard to capture a specific kind of modern teenager, but it didn’t quite land. 

 

Overall, it was a perfectly pleasant read—cozy, light, and entertaining in the moment. But it didn’t have the depth or emotional weight to make a lasting impression. I don’t regret reading it, but I doubt I’ll remember much about it down the line. 

 Letters from the Dead wasn’t what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. While different in many ways,  it gave me the same feeling as A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford—an immersive, layered story about power, legacy, and survival. 

The blurb outlines the plot, but it doesn’t quite capture the heart of the story. The real intrigue comes from uncovering the truth alongside the main character—learning about her family’s legacy, the weight of leadership, and the brutal realities of power. I disliked nearly everyone in her family except her grandfather, who seemed to be the only source of wisdom. Even now, I’m not entirely sure if her exile to boarding school was her mother’s punishment or her grandfather’s way of saving her. And Karl—where do his loyalties truly lie? 

 

As she’s forced back into the world she left behind, I’m eager to see where The Prodigal Daughter takes her next. There’s so much left unanswered, and I can’t wait to see how it all unravels.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 I was hesitant about The Black Bird Oracle at first—it actually took me two tries to get into it. The first time around, it was definitely a case of “right book, wrong time.” But once I settled in, I was hooked. 

 

One of the highlights for me was meeting the Proctor side of Diana’s family. Their introduction added a new layer to Diana’s history, though I still don’t entirely understand why she was kept away from them. That said, the book seems to suggest that everything unfolded as it was meant to. 

 

Diana gaining even more power was unexpected—she was already one of the most formidable witches, but now? I’m curious to see how that develops, especially with Rebecca set to surpass even her mother. The implications for the future of the series are intriguing. 

 

Overall, it was wonderful to return to this world, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.