In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past–a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake.We can’t choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child, challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage, and themselves.
Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?
Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.
The Review
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
I was hesitant to pick this one up. I read it concurrently with WHAT MY BONES KNOW and I was nervous about the combination.
Something about the synopsis led me to believe it was going to be emotionally charged and although it was heartfelt it was written at a distance which allowed me to access the themes comfortably. And I appreciated that.
The writing was textural and rich and layered. I recommend to readers looking for solid writing, a captivating family mystery, and themes around strained relationships.
Out now!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this advanced copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide…
Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.
The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question.
The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge
Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.
The Review
I’m sure I lived at least one life in Paris…
In one of my most anticipated of the year, Lucy Foley does so much right in this newly-released, modern classic. THE PARIS APARTMENT by Lucy Foley:
Told in alternating views, TPA is crafted so well I didn’t mind the cast of characters. In fact, I’d say the characters are the strength of the book.
It reminded me of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE the way each character plays a role within the plot and as the story unravels more and more about each character is revealed.
A classic thriller with sexed-up-CLUE-vibes -Parisian style. Recommended to readers who need a reminder that good thrillers do exist. And bad characters make them better.
I needed this book so much this week!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️The audiobook was part of the enjoyment of this book. The narrators did a wonderful job on this one.
1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell picks violets for a living. Set apart by her community because of the birthmarks that speckle her skin, Nell’s world is her beloved brother and devotion to the sea.
But when Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped. Her father has sold her, promising Jasper Jupiter his very own leopard girl. It is the greatest betrayal of Nell’s life, but as her fame grows, and she finds friendship with the other performers and Jasper’s gentle brother Toby, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.
In London, newspapers describe Nell as the eighth wonder of the world. Figurines are cast in her image, and crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. But who gets to tell Nell’s story? What happens when her fame threatens to eclipse that of the showman who bought her? And as she falls in love with Toby, can he detach himself from his past and the terrible secret that binds him to his brother?
Moving from the pleasure gardens of Victorian London to the battle-scarred plains of the Crimea, Circus of Wonders is an astonishing story about power and ownership, fame and the threat of invisibility.
The Review
CIRCUS OF WONDERS
I’m not sure you’re supposed to feel this passionately about the MC but I think I inadvertently transferred some anger from reading A LITTLE LIFE and it landed at the feet of this one.
I hated the father in the story for who he was and what he did. I hated her brother, who was lost and her handler, who was out for himself despite himself. I hated the main character for becoming what she did.
So much emotion.
And then it kind of fizzled.
Once the story was laid out and the world was built I felt a big drop in presence. I disconnected with the story at some point and all of that hatred and passion from the beginning of the book did not carry the plot.
I feel drawn to stories of the circus for a multitude of reasons but the way the circus is used in this book, as an exploitation of the human predicament, I didn’t enjoy this concept as much as I would’ve liked.
I think this book will appeal to readers looking for a historical fiction story with strained familial dynamics, oddities and spots of intrigue.
For me, ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy!
