Review of Deep in the Mist
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
Review of Deep in the Mist
Gaspar moved to New Petrograd, a — fictional — Russian settlement in Canada, to take over his father’s construction business once he retired. Shelley, a police officer from Vancouver, is visiting her parents too. Their paths will join because her parents had invited his for a social evening when she first arrived. And his mother encouraged him to come, even if he only stayed for the meal. While they both work to return New Petrograd to its idyllic calm, Shelley grows a fondness for this tight-knit community and a special liking for one of its members. Deep in the Mist by Heather J Graham, Diana Van Geffen, and Loretta Scutchings is the literary equivalent of a warm cup of tea on a winter day. More cozy than mystery, it has enough suspenseful elements to keep the reader engaged, while also being the soothing tale we sometimes need in this boisterous world.
The main merit of the novel is, from my point of view, the enjoyment of learning more about Russian culture. It's commendable that the authors never resort to info-dumping, but use original features to submerge the reader in this society. For example, the recipe book and the glossary, which are usually set apart, are interwoven in the story. This is an original approach to presenting terms that might be new to the reader while also enhancing the reading experience. I especially savored the tidbits of historical trivia sprinkled here and there, particularly in the cooking lessons. I also applaud that’s precious to find a novel these days that’s so clean as this one: there are no profanities, no erotic scenes, and just a modicum of violence.
The novel has three major flaws. The first one is the over-constructed and unauthentic dialogues. Take the following random comment: “Those cookies sure smell good. I just love how the chocolate oozes through my teeth when they are fresh from the oven.” Nobody talks so descriptively in real life. The second one is that, except for the main characters, the rest are almost indistinguishable. I often felt lost because except for Gaspar, Shelley, and their immediate family, the rest of the village is all portrayed in a cookie-cutter style. Last, the editing mistakes exceed ten occurrences. These are minor flaws that don’t interfere with the reading but should be taken into consideration.
Deep in the Mist by Heather J Graham, Diana Van Geffen, and Loretta Scutchings is a unique, comforting, white tale. It is full of interesting data about Russian culture, and it highlights the best of human nature. Unfortunately, because of the unnatural dialogues, the generic characters, and the edition mistakes, I rate it 3 out of 4 stars.
Deep in the Mist is part of a trilogy. I would recommend reading the first installment of the series before this one. This novel is ideal for people who enjoy cozy mysteries, history, gastronomy, and learning about different cultures. It is an ideal story for young adults. Readers who prefer intricate thrillers, fast-paced stories, or steamy romances might want to choose another book.
******
Deep in the Mist
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
- Raluca_Mihaila
- Posts: 2849
- Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
- Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
- Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
- Bookshelf Size: 175
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
- Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson
- Kavita Shah
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 3116
- Joined: 12 Dec 2020, 12:30
- Favorite Book: Spellbound - The Workings of Drugtech
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 188
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kavita-shah.html
- Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
That was the best part. Thank you for your comment!Kavita Shah wrote: ↑21 Jun 2021, 14:54 The story does sound unique. It's not for me but getting to know about Russian culture would be very intriguing. Thank you for a great review!
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
I think you'd like it, then. It is very unique, especially because it's written by three residents of a long-term care facility and I think they each brought their experiences into the story.Raluca_Mihaila wrote: ↑21 Jun 2021, 02:33 I love mysteries, discovering new countries and cultures, and learning about history. So this one seems intriguing, despite its flaws. Thank you for introducing it!
Thanks for your comment!
-
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 20:20
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 11
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeanabel-ramos.html
- Latest Review: Final Act by Van Fleisher
- Harty Muli
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: 28 May 2020, 09:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 273
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-harty-muli.html
- Latest Review: I Have Proof of a Higher Power by Ioan Dirina
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
Thank you! I'm glad my review fulfilled its purpose. I hope you enjoy the book.Jeanabel Ramos wrote: ↑22 Jun 2021, 03:21 I love the honest review especially when you stated some unrealistic dialogues from the book. I would like to give this book a try because of your review. Thank you!
- Sanju Lali
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 3423
- Joined: 08 May 2018, 12:47
- Currently Reading: Goodbye, Rudy Kazoody
- Bookshelf Size: 446
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sanju-lali.html
- Latest Review: The Unfakeable Code® by Tony Jeton Selimi
- Reading Device: B00I15SB16
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
It is a unique combination. Thank you for your comment!
-
- Posts: 500
- Joined: 27 Jun 2020, 05:18
- Currently Reading: Shame Off You
- Bookshelf Size: 193
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ob-brian.html
- Latest Review: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure by Catherine A. Pepe
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
I'm very glad!
I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your kind words.
- cd20
- Posts: 1036
- Joined: 29 Nov 2020, 14:54
- Favorite Book: Hope Between the Pages
- Currently Reading: Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl
- Bookshelf Size: 823
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cd20.html
- Latest Review: Now Unto Him by Melissa Huggins
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
-
- Posts: 372
- Joined: 30 Apr 2021, 18:35
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 67
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-el-limitless.html
- Latest Review: Public Hostage Public Ransom by William Bronston MD
- María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: 27 Apr 2018, 16:22
- Favorite Book: The Nightingale
- Currently Reading: The Mothers
- Bookshelf Size: 2401
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mar-a-andrea-fern-ndez-sep-lveda.html
- Latest Review: You Say Goodbye by Keith Steinbaum
I understand. It usually drives me crazy, too. Thank you for your comment.