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‘The Housemaid’s Secret’ is the sequel to ‘The Housemaid’ and this is perhaps one of those rare times when the second book is better than the first. It’s much more engaging than the first, and that’s saying a lot because The Housemaid was a tense thriller.

In Housemaid, we met Millie as she was desperately searching for a job. Then Nina Winchester hires her to help clean her beautiful home. The messes keep piling up, Nina accuses her of stealing her clothes, and Nina’s daughter hates her. The only respite comes in the form of Andrew, Nina’s husband, who seems to understand Millie and the two soon develop feelings for each other. But things aren’t as they seem and everything quickly goes downhill for Millie.

The Housemaid’s Secret doesn’t begin where the first book left off. Quite a few things have happened in Millie’s life since then. Millie is now working as a nanny and has a wonderful, caring boyfriend called Brock. Then she gets fired from the job when the baby calls her ‘mama’ instead of her real mother. Brock asks her to move in with him but, as lovely as he is, she just can’t bring herself to take that next step in their relationship.

So, she needs another job immediately. She has to pay rent for her decrepit room. But she is unable to find one. Then Douglas Garrick, CEO of Coinstock, contacts Millie. He says he and his wife require Millie to cook and clean their house twice or thrice a week. Douglas tells Millie that his wife Wendy is sick and not to disturb her. It seems like an innocent request and Millie agrees.

But soon Millie starts to hear cries from the bedroom. She finds a nightdress with blood along the neckline when doing the laundry. She sees Wendy with bruises on her face. Millie realizes Douglas is an abusive husband and wants to help Wendy escape but Wendy is far too scared of Douglas to let Millie help her. But Millie doesn’t give up and manages to help Wendy. What happens after that is for the readers to find out. Saying anything more would spoil the fun of reading it.

What I can say is that McFadden’s writing and craft have gotten better with each book. The Housemaid’s Secret kept me riveted. I was constantly second-guessing every action and I got quite a few things right. I could see where the story was headed yet I wasn’t prepared for many of the twists in the book.

There is a lot of tension and a fair bit of drama in the book. The story picks up in the second half and I didn’t want to put it down. You could read The Housemaid and then read the second book in the series if you want to know Millie’s backstory but it isn’t necessary. The Housemaid’s Secret works well as a standalone novel. With short chapters and crazy situations, the book will keep you entertained.

Fiction

The Housemaid’s Secret

Freida McFadden

Published: 2023

Publisher: Penguin Books

Pages: 365, Paperback

Lok Raj Baral’s ‘Nepal: From Monarchy to Republic’ is a highly recommended read for everyone. Baral skillfully divides the book into chapters such as ‘The Native Construction of a Nation State’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Monarchy’, ‘Parties and Problems’, ‘Institutional Crisis of Governance’, ‘Problem of Democratization’, ‘Economics of Governance’, ‘Geopolitical Dimensions and Change’, and ‘Conclusion’.

Within the ‘Parties and Problems’ chapter, Baral adeptly elucidates the chronological progression from historical backgrounds to the current situation. His thorough exploration makes this chapter particularly engaging for theorists. However, in practical terms, some aspects might encounter limitations. There exists a disparity between understanding and experience—what one comprehends versus what one witnesses and encounters. I observed similar disparities between understanding and experiencing while reading this book. For instance, the key problems of Nepali political parties and leaders have not been mentioned in the chapter which will create problems for the upcoming generations to understand and find solutions.

In the chapter ‘Institutional Crisis and Governance’, Baral adeptly explores the insights of American political scientist Lucian W Pye and his four principal sources. It’s an important and highly recommended read. Additionally, the chapter delves into the controversy surrounding Rookmangud Katawal and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. However, despite its significance, I found that it still lacked a complete understanding and experience in grasping certain aspects of this chapter.

Entitled as it is, Baral delves into a comprehensive exploration and analysis of Nepal’s political parties and system, spanning from historical contexts to contemporary developments. Additionally, he lightly touches upon the country’s geopolitical relationships with neighboring nations.

Baral, a prominent theorist within the Nepali political sphere, has produced a highly commendable book that is a must-read for anyone interested in politics and seeking a deeper understanding of Nepali political dynamics. Within its pages, Baral adeptly elucidates and provides solutions for the country’s political landscape, drawing references from diverse national and international case studies.

What I saw in the book launch event:

• I wasn’t invited by the author or the publisher, however, upon the recommendation of one of the invitees, my friend Prem Kantha Makaju, I attended the book launch ceremony of Lok Raj Baral’s ‘Nepal: From Monarchy to Republic’ in Kathmandu on Nov 6. Former President Ram Baran Yadav graced the occasion as the chief guest.
• At the podium, Baral’s students and well-wishers were present, while in the audience, Daman Nath Dhungana, Dr Mohan Prasad Lohani, and Kedar Bhakta Mathema among others were in attendance. 
• The audience murmured that it would have been better if these personalities had been offered a seat at the podium and given a few minutes to share their remarks.
• Only those who spoke positively about Baral were on the podium to share their thoughts; critical analysis was notably absent from their speeches.
• Economist and MP from Rastriya Swatantra Party Swarnim Wagle was noticeably held in high regard by Baral.

The author is a member of the Supreme Court Bar and has been practicing corporate law for around three decades

Some books never leave your mind. You see their spine on the bookshelf and are transported back to that time and space. You remember how you felt while reading it. ‘The Missing’ by Chris Mooney is one of those books for me. I had to sleep with the lights on after finishing the book. I must have recommended it to all of my reader friends and they too had similar reactions. It’s horrifying. It’s so good.

Mooney is the critically acclaimed author of Deviant Ways, World Without End, and Remembering Sarah, which was nominated for the Barry Award and the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Mooney’s other works are also equally terrifying and I love many more titles apart from The Missing. But The Missing is my favorite because it was my first time reading the author and I wasn’t prepared for what was coming. I later found out that it was also the first book in the CSI Darby McCormick series.

Specific scenes of the book still make me shudder. I decided to reread it to see if it still evokes the same feelings as it did a decade ago when I first read it. It was every bit as satisfying. Mooney is a great storyteller with a special penchant for crafting characters you will come to love and then throwing them into highly unlikely and unsettling scenarios. Something about it just makes your heart race. You feel for these people and become invested in the story.

CSI Darby McCormick finds an emaciated woman hiding at a kidnap site. DNA tests confirm she is the same woman who has been missing for five years. She has somehow managed to escape the dungeon in which she had been held captive. Then a teenage girl goes missing and Darby begins to hunt for the dungeon as she suspects a sadistic serial killer is on the prowl. She soon discovers that she has a past with the kidnapper/murderer and that she might be his next victim.

I don’t want to say anything else and ruin the suspense. I feel too many emotions for this book so I don’t trust myself not to say anything to spoil it for those who haven’t read it. But I can safely say that everyone will enjoy this book. The plot is good. The writing is superb. The author has mastered the pacing and tension-building that makes a good thriller. But The Missing isn’t just a blood-curdling psychological thriller. Mooney knows how to evoke empathy and question your morals. So, it makes for an interesting, wholesome read. Best, the ending will make you squirm.

Fiction

The Missing

Chris Mooney

Published: 2007

Publisher: Penguin Books

Pages: 403, Paperback

‘How to Kill Your Family’ is narrated in the first-person by Grace Bernard, a 20-something Londoner who hates her millionaire father. He refused to acknowledge her as his daughter. She and her mother had miserable lives while he shuffled between his luxury homes. Now, Grace’s mother is dead and she wants revenge. She wants to kill her father, but not before she kills the rest of his family members. She wants him to suffer.

 But before she can kill him, she ends up in prison. She isn’t caught for the many murders that she does commit but for one she had nothing to do with. In prison, Grace keeps a journal in which she documents the six murders she committed. She describes them in great detail, almost relishing them and in her flawless execution.

The book had potential—the plot is interesting. The characters are well-crafted. But the author didn’t flesh out the story beforehand. The first few chapters are good and the story picks up pace mid-way. But the ending feels forced and abrupt. Grace kills people in ingenious ways but that’s all she’s doing and after a few murders you can guess what she’s going to do. It gets repetitive and boring.

The story is peppered with biting commentary on the consumerist culture. These bits are fun and provide insight into Grace’s mindset and what drives her. But Grace still comes across as acerbic and annoying. I could never empathize with her. Even when some people have been kind and taken care of her, she’s been ungrateful, always questioning their motives. She never grew on me.

Also, since the story is narrated only from Grace’s perspective, you get a one-dimensional view of what’s happening. Grace is a cynical narrator and thus every character comes across as silly and vile. There is only black and white in Grace’s world and as a reader you find Grace’s ideas being forced onto you. It’s quite a discomfiting feeling at times.

How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie is a light read you will forget the minute you finish it. It goes downhill pretty quickly. But you will have some fun while reading it. The writing is humorous and some passages will resonate with you, or you will vehemently disagree with the protagonist’s ideas. Whatever the case, your opinions and biases will surface time and again. In that way, the story will lead to some introspection, which can sometimes be a much-needed thing. But don’t go into it expecting it to be a great read, it’s just an average one.

Fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50224049 

How to Kill Your Family

Bella Mackie

Published: 2022

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 359, Paperback