The Lying Game

 What's unique about The Lying Game by Ruth Ware is that it’s divided into 5 rules instead of chapters. These are the rules to the lying game – a game where participants earn points by telling colossal lies to non-players, but never to each other.

Isa, Kate, Fatima, and Thea all went to Saltan House School. They are reuniting after many years because Kate sent them a text saying, “I need you”.

The four friends meet at the run-down mill where Kate lives. Through their conversations and interactions with each other, it is obvious that there's some trauma in their collective past that still haunts them. Now, that ghost has reappeared, but Kate has a plan to handle it, which involves them attending the Saltan House Alumni Dinner. They haven’t gone to any social affairs like this since they left the school under mysterious circumstances. Why did they leave the school? Does it have something to do with the lying game – a game they used to play when they were students?

As the story continues, the intrigue builds. My curiosity grows as nuggets about their past are slowly revealed. There are so many questions about these girls and their time at Saltan.

This is a wonderfully written book using much detailed, descriptive language. One review used the term slow-burn. I think that’s the perfect adjective to express the vague feeling of trepidation that runs through this story, especially if you listen to the audiobook version. By the way, the audiobook narrator, Imogen Church, gives an amazing performance.

The Lying Game mainly takes place in the present. However, the narrative occasionally shifts back to their days at Saltan. In these moments, I would have liked to have experienced more of the girls actually playing the game in their younger years when it was just a silly pastime. Nevertheless, I think it’s a book very much worth reading for its sense of suspense, unexpected twists and well-thought-out storytelling that kept me guessing until the very end.

 

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Summer State of Mind

 For whatever reason, I really enjoy a novel that is set in a southern town every once in awhile – particularly if romance is involved. There's something easy, comforting, and maybe a little hokey about them. This is the main reason I chose Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey for my next review.

The story begins when Mason, a former baseball prospect, finds an abandon baby in a dumpster. He rushes the newborn girl to the hospital where he's greeted by a nurse named Daisy. This is Daisy’s first day at a new job in a new town.

Cape Carolina, North Carolina is a beautiful town where Daisy Stevens use to vacation when she was a child. Unfortunately, she has some unpleasant personal history there. Despite that, Daisy has always dreamed of living in this tiny coastal borough. She made the move because she wanted a fresh start after losing a patient at her previous job.

An injury ended Mason Thaysden’s promising baseball career. Now, he's living back in Cape Carolina coaching high school baseball, but feels he needs a change. Also, since this is his hometown, Mason is surrounded by a large, loving, but rather eccentric family that is full of surprises and secrets. Like Daisy, Mason is carrying some of life’s baggage. Both find themselves at crossroads in their lives when they meet.

There's an instant connection between Daisy and Mason. She quickly gets involved with his tight-knit, very stereotypical southern family. They are the family Daisy has always wanted. She also forms an attachment to Maisy, the abandoned baby. Little Maisy has a piece of Mason’s heart too. What will be the result of all these newly formed bonds?

It should be noted that this narrative touches on several sensitive topics like adoption, the foster care system, as well as mental health. Additionally, is it ever a good time to divulge information that would dramatically change or upset another person’s life is looked at here.

This book certainly has its mushy moments and much of it is predictable, but I was expecting it would be like that. So, I won't offer any further critique or commentary on this book.

 

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How to Read a Book

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood centers around the lives of 3 main characters: Violet, Harriet and Frank.

Violet Powell has just been suddenly released from prison after serving 22 months for manslaughter. She is transitioning to an apartment in Portland, Maine – a city where she doesn’t know anyone. She is feeling lost and lonely in her new home. Rejected by her family after being release, Violet carries with her a sense of shame over killing a woman in a drunk-driving crash. Under these circumstances, I have sympathy for Violet and her situation.

Retiree Harriet Larson runs a book club in the prison where Violet was incarcerated. Harriet considers this club her retirement project since it makes her feel useful and needed. She likes the women in the club and accepts them for who they are. Oddly enough, she gains a sense of belonging among them. Instead of seeing as inmates or criminals, Harriet sees them as readers like herself. Likewise, the ladies in the club affectionately called her “Booky”. Violet was a member of the club as well.

The kind-hearted Frank was married to Lorraine Daigle, Violet’s victim in the car accident. He is experiencing what appears to be severe grief over his wife’s death. For his own mental well-being and to give him a sense of purpose, he takes a job as a handyman at Wadsworth Books – the same store where Harriet selects books for the club.

One ordinary day, these 3 individuals lives intersect at Wadsworth Books. What will the fallout be from these coincidental encounters? How will Frank react to seeing Violet again? It may not be what you would expect as details of the Daigles’ marriage come to light.

An intriguing aspect of this book is that it offers 2 different perspectives on prison life and what comes after incarceration. One from Harriet who makes insightful observations about what she sees as a prison volunteer. The other from Violet who is actually living that reality. However, my favorite parts of this novel are when Violet is working in the university lab directly with the African gray parrots. These chapter are fascinating, fun and full of joy.

How to Read a Book was recommended to me by one of the Banterers. (A Banterer is someone on this blog’s e-mailing list.) I sincerely thank her for the suggestion. It is a really good book with a lovely, thoughtful ending.

No guarantees, but I think the next book I review will be Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey. This book was just published a few weeks ago at the time this particular blog is being posted. If you have happened to have read it in that short amount of time, please let me know what you thought of it.

 

Become a Banterer! If you would like to be placed on Maria's Book Banter’s e-mailing list, please e-mail me at mariabookbanter@gmail.com. You will receive links to blog posts shortly after they are published. Your contact information will not be sold. If you would like to be removed from the list, let me know. Any questions, comments or book recommendations can be sent to this e-mail address too.

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The Maid

The Maid by Nita Prose isn’t a book I would normally select for Maria's Book Banter since it’s the first in a series about a character named Molly. I usually pick standalone books. However, when I read its description, it sounded like something I would really enjoy. I just had a good feeling about this one. Let’s see if I'm right…

Molly works as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel – a place that is as sophisticated as it sounds. She loves her job and takes pride in her work. Molly is self-described as being socially inept. While she definitely does have her awkward moments, she seems friendly enough with her co-workers and guests, particularly with Giselle Black who frequently stays at the hotel. At least, that is my first impression of her. This contradiction is a point of confusion for me, but I must set it aside to move forward with the story.   

On one ordinary day, Molly discovers Charles Black, Giselle's husband, dead in his suite. She is inevitably interviewed by police investigating the death.

Much of this book is telling the story of Molly’s life before finding a dead body as well as Giselle’s marriage. I wish it would get back to the question of what happened to Charles Black. On the other hand, answers to this mystery may lie in these details from Molly’s past. So, I pay close attention, but it certainly does take its time getting to the heart of the story.

Molly is a complicated protagonist. Summaries of this book label her as neurodivergent, although as the narrator, she doesn’t disclose that diagnosis to my knowledge. Yet, all the stereotypical traits are there. She is extremely detail oriented and shockingly blunt when interacting with people, but is she always completely forthcoming with them? She misinterprets others’ emotions and expressions. Molly is straight forward in her thinking, which is reflected in the narration of this book. Unfortunately, she is also very naive, especially when it comes to dealing with criminal minds. Because of this, Molly makes some unfortunate choices that will cost her.

It could be argued that the plot turns in this story are predictable, obvious, maybe even corny. To that I say, you have to see these events though Molly’s innocent eyes and unsuspecting mind to fully appreciate this novel.

Were my first instincts correct about this book? My answer is a qualified “yes”. As I stated earlier, this is the first in a series of books about Molly the Maid. Despite issues with pacing and explaining the legal system, I can see myself continuing with this series since Molly is such a unique heroine; I mean that in the best possible way. I’d like to see what the future has in store for her – hopefully good things.

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A Marriage at Sea

 A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst is quite a departure from what I usually read for Maria's Book Banter. It’s the true story of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey, a British couple who set off to sail from England to New Zealand.

For the first few chapters, we get to know who the Baileys are as individuals and as a couple. Readers learn that they weren’t satisfied with ordinary life in England. To escape it all, they decide to sail to New Zealand on a boat named Auralyn seeking a fresh start and freedom from the mundane world around them.

While at sea, an abnormally large whale punctured a hole in Auralyn causing it to take on water. Maurice and Maralyn had to abandon it before it sunk.

It then becomes a tale of survival that lasted for 4 months. It was days and nights of rowing for the couple without seeing anything except ocean and sky. Also, during that time, they had to battle weather elements as well as sea creatures. They attempted to flag down nearby ships only to see them turn away from them. The food they saved from Auralyn was rationed so it would last longer. Close to starving to death, all they could think about was food.

Additionally, this book details Maurice and Maralyn’s time on the boat before they encountered the whale and life after they are rescued, which included much unwanted notoriety, and surprisingly even more long voyages.

Reading nonfiction like this is definitely unchartered waters for me. Do you see what I did there? I have read a few memoirs and biographies for this blog, but nothing with an adventurous theme. Has this reading experience converted me into an enthusiast of this genre? Maybe not, but I'm glad I made this selection. It’s good to change it up sometimes and try something new.

Become a Banterer! If you would like to be placed on Maria's Book Banter’s e-mailing list, please e-mail me at mariabookbanter@gmail.com. You will receive links to blog posts shortly after they are published. Your contact information will not be sold. If you would like to be removed from the list, let me know. Any questions, comments or book recommendations can be sent to this e-mail address too.

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The Museum of Ordinary People

 I started 2026 by reading The Wedding People by Alison Espach. It had some impressive accolades associated with it as well as recommendations from family members. It all seemed very promising. However, once I began reading the book, I knew it wasn’t for me. Admittedly, I didn’t get terribly far into it. Its overall tone is rather cynical and bitter. Also, there are too many F-bombs and unnecessary indecent language for my taste. That just isn’t good writing in my opinion.

So, I had to turn my attention to another book…

Clearing out her mother’s house after her death was an emotional experience for Jess. That’s how The Museum of Ordinary by Mike Gayle starts.

From her belongings, Jess keeps an old set of encyclopedias that her mother gave her when she was 11-years-old. These books represented a hopeful future to Jess. So, she couldn’t dream of parting with them. Yet it is now time for her to let go of them if she’s going to move forward in life with her boyfriend Guy, but does she actually want the future that Guy is offering her? That’s when she hears about the Museum of Ordinary People from her best friend as a possible permanent home for them.

The Museum of Ordinary People is a storage room that houses a collection of items that no one wants, but shouldn’t be totally disregarded, like Jess’ encyclopedias. As an aspiring museum curator, Jess becomes fascinated with the museum and its history at her first visit to it. This is also when she meets Alex, a mysterious young man with facial scars who presently owns the museum.

Jess is so moved by the concept of the museum and saw great potential in it that she asks Alex if she could curate its unusual assortment of treasures to give it some legitimacy. Doing this project would give Jess a sense of purpose – something she has been missing for a while. They eventually agree that she would work on it for six months in her spare time. Jess is thrilled with this arrangement, and as a reader, I am swept up in her enthusiasm and want to see her and the museum succeed.

As a first-time curator, Jess experiences the growing pains of starting a new and innovative museum. Also, during this time, Jess faces personal challenges and comes to startling realizations about her own life. It is certainly a time of self-discovery.

This is the third book by Mike Gayle that I’ve reviewed for Maria's Book Banter. All three of these novels center around the themes of death, dying, the grieving process and their complexities. He writes with sensitivity and poignancy while telling meaningful stories without using offensive verbiage. Thank you Mike Gayle!

Blogger’s Note: The interpretation of The Wedding People by its audiobook narrator may have contributed to my negative opinion of the book.

Become a Banterer! If you would like to be placed on Maria's Book Banter’s e-mailing list, please e-mail me at mariabookbanter@gmail.com. You will receive links to blog posts shortly after they are published. Your contact information will not be sold. If you would like to be removed from the list, let me know. Any questions, comments or book recommendations can be sent to this e-mail address too.

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The Homemade God

 Artist Vic Kemp announces to his four adult children that he's getting married to a much younger woman named Bella-Mae who he met online six weeks earlier. That’s how The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce begins.

This news shocks the Kemp siblings since Vic has always been opposed to the institution of marriage. They have a lot of questions like what changed his mind about getting married and is Bella-Mae pushing him to do this. In the meantime, Vic is supposedly working on a major work of art that would be his masterpiece at his advanced age. However, the children wondered whether this was actually happening since Bella-Mae came into his life.

Bella-Mae raised their suspicions from the beginning. She made excuses not to meet the rest of the kemp family. Bella-Mae is an internet influencer. How much influence does she have on their father, they asked themselves. It seemed that Bella-Mae was taking over Vic’s entire life, and yet she remained quite a mystery to all of them.

After Vic marries Bella-Mae – a wedding his children aren’t invited to - he disappears from their lives. That’s when they received word that their father is dead from a drowning accident. What comes next for the Kemp siblings is a lot of chaos and confusion regarding the last weeks and days of Vic’s life, the actual drowning itself and what was to follow. There's also the matter of the painting he was working on at the time of his death. What happened to that? The stress of it all is causing the close-knit Kemps to turn on each other at a critical time when they should be banding together.

Going deeper into the story and as more jaw-dropping, family secrets are revealed, I form theories and guesses about what is really going on here. It’s that kind of a book.

The Homemade God is a wonderfully written novel with well thought-out characters who make this story come alive. Each Kemp child has their own unique backstory and distinct personality that blend well together to create an engrossing narrative that shouldn’t be missed by anyone who loves mysteries wrapped up in family drama.

This may or may not be the last Maria's Book Banter post of 2025. It’s hard to say at this point. If it is, I wish you a Joy-filled holiday season and all the best for 2026.

Become a Banterer! If you would like to be placed on Maria's Book Banter’s e-mailing list, please e-mail me at mariabookbanter@gmail.com. You will receive links to blog posts shortly after they are published. Your contact information will not be sold. If you would like to be removed from the list, let me know. Any questions, comments or book recommendations can be sent to this e-mail address too.

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