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‘Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun’ is the third book in the Finlay Donavon series by Elle Cosimano. Whether it’s the final book perhaps depends on the popularity of the series but I think it’s time to end it. I enjoyed ‘Finlay Donovan Is Killing It’ and ‘Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead’ but the story feels a little stretched out by the third book.

Here, Finlay and Vero are trying to reveal the identity of EasyClean who is the hitman hired on an Internet forum to kill Steven, Finlay’s husband. Russian mob boss Feliks, to whom Finlay owes a favor, is behind bars but he wants Finlay to do something for him. She is to find and identify the contract killer before the cops do. But the killer might be a police officer.

Luckily, Nick, a cop who has feelings for Finlay, has just been tasked with starting a citizen’s police academy. Finlay and Vero see this as a perfect chance to do some digging without raising suspicions and join the group. To make matters worse, Finlay has a deadline to meet and she can’t seem to rewrite the parts her editor wants her to change. Vero’s past is coming back to haunt her. The two find themselves in a precarious situation and they, as always, make it worse just by trying to dodge it.

I love Finlay and Vero. They make a nice team. Vero is a great wing woman for Finlay, dealing with her ex-husband, handling her children, and generally egging her on. She is a character you enjoy reading out and getting to know more than the protagonist in Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun. But the same antics get boring after a while. I searched high and low for the book but now after having read it, I realize I wouldn’t have missed out on much even if I hadn’t found it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it. Just not as much as I enjoyed the first two parts of the series.

In the third book, something is amiss right from the start. A lot of time goes into reintroducing characters. The buildup is slow. The sense of urgency that made the earlier books work is largely missing in the latest installment. It lacks fun. It lacks adventure. Incidents feel pointlessly drawn out. But I can also understand why it would appeal to some readers. It has fewer of the outlandish moments of the earlier two parts. The things that happen feel more real. Even though nothing much happens, it’s a light read for when you want something to take your mind off things.

Thriller | Mystery

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

Elle Cosimano

Published: 2023

Publisher: Headline Review

Pages: 297, Paperback

I believe there’s a right time and place for every book. Not all books resonate with you all the time. ‘The Reading List’ by Sara Nisha Adams reiterated that sentiment. It was a lovely book. The plot was simple and comforting. But I would have probably enjoyed it a lot more if I had read it, say, before the pandemic. By the time I came across the book (just a few weeks ago), I had already read similar stories. There was nothing new in it.

But I’d recommend The Reading List to anyone who wants to read a heartwarming tale of how books can change your life. The story is partly inspired by the author’s grandfather, who found a connection with his granddaughter through books. Set in Wembley in London, The Reading List is the story of two individuals—80-year-old Mukesh Patel, a widower, and 17-year-old Aleisha, who works part-time at the local library.

Mukesh is mourning his wife, Naina. His three daughters take care of him but there’s a hole in his heart that just won’t go away. He’s lonely and, at times, miserable. Naina was a voracious reader, often asking Mukesh to keep quiet because she was reading. When he stumbles upon a copy of Audrey Niffenegger’s ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ that his wife didn’t get to return to the library, he sits down to read it. He doesn’t expect to get so engrossed in the story. Reading it makes him feel like Naina is around.

When he finishes it, he goes to the library to return it where he meets Aleisha. He’s also hoping to read other books so that he has something to talk about with his granddaughter who, like his wife, loves to read. But Aleisha is unhelpful and Mukesh runs away. Aleisha, on the other hand, is stuck at the library. She never really wanted to work there but her brother, Aiden, recommended it and she couldn’t say no. She’s trying to escape a problematic mother and would do anything to get a few hours away from home.

Then, she discovers a crumpled reading list tucked away in one of the library books and she starts reading the books on them as well as recommending them to Mukesh when he eventually returns. From Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to Vikram Seth’s ‘A Suitable Boy’, the octogenarian and the teenager go on a journey of self-discovery while forming an unlikely book club of two.

I found the plot to be slightly stretched because I could see where it was going. Apart from that, I enjoyed the book as it reinforced the power of reading and reminded me of some of the reasons why I love books. The book is peppered with references to other books—some of which I have already read and some that I haven’t but they are now all on my reading list. As characters, Mukesh and Aleisha feel a bit cliché but they remind us that the need for connection is a constant across generations.

Fiction

The Reading List

Sara Nisha Adams

Published: 2021

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 425, Paperback

Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2022, Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason has raving reviews on its covers. Ann Patchett, one of my favorite writers ever, says. “I was making a list of all the people I wanted to send it to, until I realized that I wanted to send it to everyone I know.” Jojo Moyes, the author of ‘The Giver of Stars’, says it’s funny and tragic. A review says it’s probably the best book you’ll read this year. Yet another calls it unforgettable.

The story revolves around Martha Friel. She’s a writer who hasn’t had much luck. She has a wonderful husband, Patrick, who has loved her since the day he first met her. But Martha isn’t happy and she can’t put a finger on what makes her tick. She believes something is wrong with her. Growing up with an alcoholic mother has somewhat scarred her. When she alienates her husband who has never been anything but kind to her, she is forced to return to her parent’s home. Will she be able to start over and write herself a better ending? 

I had high expectations from the book. I wasn’t disappointed. The story had its moments. But it took me longer than I had anticipated to get through it. The plot is heavy—with themes such as generational trauma, mental health, pregnancy, and family dynamics. Some subplots, though interesting, aren’t explored much and don’t align with the main story. I’m still undecided about how I feel. I could relate to many instances in the book but I also thought the protagonist was dull and annoying. The side characters were much more fascinating. I wish there was more about them in the story.

I was bored sometimes but I couldn’t stop reading the book either. I expected something to happen. But nothing much ever did. But then that’s life, I guess. Little things add up and make you who you are. You react the way you do because of what you have seen around you growing up. Most of the time, you are guided by your thoughts and beliefs, which shape you but can also be the reason for your downfall. The book made me mull over these.

Mason’s handling of mental health is a nuanced one. She never really names the illness Martha has. Even when a diagnosis is made, it’s referred to as ‘—  —’. It leaves a lot of room for imagination and makes empathizing with the character easier. Sorrow and Bliss is a poignant reminder of the fact that life is complicated and people respond differently to things. There is more sorrow than bliss in the storyline but it makes you think hard about some stuff you would rather not confront, depending on where you are in life. In that way, it’s quite an eye-opening read.

Fiction

Sorrow and Bliss

Meg Mason

Published: 2020

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicholson

Pages: 347, Paperback

In the sphere of modern relationships, deciphering the complex reciprocity between men and women stands as a pivotal pursuit for strengthening meaningful connections. In my personal exploration of the unique challenges defining relationships, I turned to the wisdom encapsulated in John Gray’s self-help masterpiece, ‘Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus’. This book delves into the inherent disparities in nature, needs, and communication styles between genders, drawing parallels with the celestial bodies Mars and Venus. Across its expansive chapters, the book ventures into pressing inquiries: Why do men often retreat to their caves while women seek solace in conversation? How can we master the art of motivating partners who speak different communication languages? And, crucially, how do we sustain the enchantment of love over time? Join me as we explore the nuances of relationships through the wisdom offered by John Gray’s enlightening perspectives.

Mutual respect and acceptance

Central to the narrative is the importance of mutual respect and acceptance in nurturing a flourishing relationship. The book eloquently underscores that embracing differences is paramount for love to thrive. It elucidates that women prioritize the feeling of being cherished over proving competence, where offering or seeking help is not perceived as a sign of weakness but rather as a testament to emotional intimacy. Conversely, men thrive when they feel valued and needed, with the absence of such acknowledgment potentially leading to passivity. The narrative accentuates the significance of women feeling cared for and respected, enabling them to contribute more profoundly to the relationship, while men, in turn, flourish when they perceive their significance within the partnership.

Importance of effective communication in relationships

A cornerstone of the book lies in its pragmatic guidance on encouraging effective communication in relationships, catering to the nuanced needs of both genders. It advocates for active engagement from both parties, emphasizing that expressing concerns does not equate to assigning blame—a notion particularly relevant for men. Similarly, when women voice complaints, it often serves as a means of venting frustrations rather than an indictment. Women are encouraged to convey appreciation even amidst moments of complaint, fostering an environment of mutual understanding and support. The bedrock of resilient relationships lies in communication that embraces inherent differences with open arms, paving the way for acceptance and respect. In times of misunderstanding, it’s imperative to recognize the distinct languages we speak and invest the necessary time to decipher the true intentions or sentiments of our partners. While mastering this skill requires practice, the dividends it yields are undeniably invaluable.

The twelve kinds of love

Among the plethora of practical insights, one concept that resonated deeply with me is encapsulated in ‘The twelve kinds of love’. This framework elucidates that our emotional needs fundamentally revolve around the universal desire for love. Both men and women encompass six distinct love needs, each holding equal significance. Men seek trust, acceptance, appreciation, admiration, approval, and encouragement, while women yearn for caring, understanding, respect, devotion, validation, and reassurance. Grazing these twelve facets of love serves as a compass in understanding the powerful landscape of our partner’s needs. Notably, the book emphasizes women’s need for diverse expressions of love as a genuine necessity rather than a mere preference. The analogy of a woman’s love tank, akin to a car’s gas tank, underscores the continuous effort required to sustain her sense of being loved, evoking responses of trust, acceptance, appreciation, admiration, approval, and encouragement.

Nurturing affection for women

The book introduces an array of subtle yet potent techniques for men to nurture their partner’s affection. It underscores the importance of promptly seeking her presence, warmly embracing her, and displaying attentiveness by inquiring about her day in specific detail. Furthermore, it advocates for the cultivation of active listening skills and engagement through thoughtful questioning. Simultaneously, it highlights the significance of offering validation during moments of distress or upset, coupled with clear communication when needing space, reassuring her of eventual return or the necessity for personal reflection.

Effectively motivating men

Similarly, the book offers invaluable insights into effectively motivating men, stressing the importance of clear communication when seeking support. It outlines key strategies, such as being direct, keeping interactions brief, and employing phrases like ‘would you’ or ‘will you’ for optimal results. Additionally, it underscores the significance of adhering to certain principles when requesting assistance from a male partner, including appropriate timing, maintaining a non-demanding demeanor, and using precise language to avert potential disinterest.

Relationship as a garden

In its conclusion, the book skillfully likens a relationship to a garden, underscoring the necessity for regular care and attention to flourish. It elucidates the concept of understanding the seasons of love: the Springtime of Love symbolizes the initial stage, characterized by bliss and harmony; the Summer of Love presents challenges as imperfections surface, demanding commitment and effort to sustain the relationship; the Autumn of Love signifies maturity, where invested efforts yield a rich and fulfilling connection; and the Winter of Love represents a period of reflection and individual growth, confronting unresolved issues. Through this cyclical journey, the book suggests that by nurturing and healing oneself, individuals can rediscover the hopeful and abundant feelings of the Springtime of Love once more.