If Cats Disappeared from the World

Title: If Cats Disappeared from the World
Author: Genki Kawamura
Published: September 20, 2018 by Picador
Format: Hardcover, 202 Pages
Genre: Fiction

Blurb: Our narrator’s days are numbered. Estranged from his family, living alone with only his cat Cabbage for company, he was unprepared for the doctor’s diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can set about tackling his bucket list, the Devil appears with a special offer: in exchange for making one thing in the world disappear, he can have one extra day of life. And so begins a very bizarre week.

Because how do you decide what makes life worth living? How do you separate out what you can do without from what you hold dear? In dealing with the Devil our narrator will take himself – and his beloved cat – to the brink. Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared from the World is a story of loss and reconciliation, of one man’s journey to discover what really matters in modern life.

My Opinion: A quirky and thought-provoking tale. The narrator, an unnamed postman receives a terminal diagnosis, only to return home to find the Devil—dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, of all things—waiting at his door. Nicknamed “Aloha,” the Devil offers him a deal: for each item he agrees to erase from existence, he gains an extra day of life.

The narrator’s choices for what to eliminate were not the things I would have chosen. Then again, that would make it a two-page book. The items chosen aren’t grand or dramatic. Yet, it’s in these unexpected decisions that the story probes deeper questions about what gives life meaning and what we’re willing to sacrifice.

Then comes the ending—abrupt, messy, and open-ended. It’s the kind of conclusion that leaves you filling in the blanks, imagining how things play out. For some, it might feel unfinished, but for me, it was perfect. It leaves the possibilities wide open, staying true to the narrator and the story’s themes.

At its heart, Kawamura’s book is an odd little gem, offering a fresh perspective on life, loss, and love. It’s not for everyone, but its quirks and emotional depth make it a story that lingers in your mind long after you’ve put it down.

No Roast for the Weary

Title: No Roast for the Weary
Author: Cleo Coyle
Published: April 1, 2025, by Berkley
Format: Kindle, 368 pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Coffeehouse Mystery (#21)

Blurb: As much as master roaster Clare Cosi adores coffee, the landmark shop she manages won't survive if she doesn't sell enough of it. So when the Village Blend's customer traffic grinds to a halt, she turns to her staff for creative ideas, and the Writer's Block Lounge is born.

Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the shop, is upset by this news. Years ago, a group of accomplished writers used the shop's second-floor lounge to inspire each other, but the group disbanded when something dark occurred. Though that history is shrouded in mystery, Clare presses forward...

Soon the Village Blend tables are filled with aspiring novelists, playwrights, and poets, all happy to be coaxed, cajoled, and caffeinated by her coffeehouse crew. Clare admires the stamina of these scribes, many of them toiling at night jobs—driving taxis, tending bar, ushering for Broadway—while penning projects during the day.

Then one of their fictions turns fatal when a shocking secret leads to a deadly end. Unless Clare can untangle this mystery, uncover the truth, and stop a desperate killer, she fears more of these weary writers may be marked for eternal rest.

My Opinion: As the 21st book in the Coffeehouse Mysteries series, No Roast for the Weary brings readers back to the Village Blend. While Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini (the duo behind Cleo Coyle) do a solid job introducing new readers to the coffeehouse's history and its quirky found family, longtime fans might feel like they're treading familiar ground.

The story is set post-pandemic, with Clare struggling to keep the Village Blend afloat as customers stay home instead of enjoying their coffee in a third space. It’s a relatable setup for the times, but the plot stalls in its execution. There’s plenty of atmosphere—almost too much—as the pages are filled with descriptions and repetitive details that make it hard to stay engaged.

Early on, the story hints at an old unsolved murder, adds a dramatic mental break from one of the regulars, and throws in an alleyway attack for good measure. Clare, along with her flamboyant barista Esther, dives in headfirst—as always—to save the day, even rescuing a duck in the process. While these moments have their charm, they’re buried under slow pacing and excessive descriptions that drag the story down.

Thankfully, things pick up towards the end. The final chapters pull the threads together and offer a satisfying payoff that makes the effort feel worthwhile—though it’s hard to ignore how much of the book felt unnecessary. Recipes and tips in the last section are a fun bonus, but they don’t make up for the sluggish pace.

For devoted fans, No Roast for the Weary might test your patience. While the series still has its moments, the writing feels tired, and it’s hard not to wonder if the authors are as restless as the readers. If you’re new to the Coffeehouse Mysteries, On What Grounds, is a good place to start. But for longtime readers, this installment leaves you wondering if it’s time to find a new favorite series.

The Third Rule of Time Travel

Title: The Third Rule of Time Travel
Author: Philip Fracassi
Published: March 18, 2025 by Orbit
Format: Kindle, Paperback 336 Pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Scientist Beth Darlow has discovered the unimaginable. She's built a machine that allows human consciousness to travel through time—to any point in the traveler's lifetime—and relive moments of their life. An impossible breakthrough, but it's not perfect: the traveler has no way to interact with the past. They can only observe.

After Beth's husband, Colson, the co-creator of the machine, dies in a tragic car accident, Beth is left to raise Isabella—their only daughter—and continue the work they started. Mired in grief and threatened by her ruthless CEO, Beth pushes herself to the limit to prove the value of her technology.

Then the impossible happens. Simply viewing personal history should not alter the present, but with each new observation she makes, her own timeline begins to warp.

As her reality constantly shifts, Beth must solve the puzzles of her past, even if it means forsaking her future.

My Opinion: What starts as a seemingly straightforward science fiction techno-thriller transforms into something much more intricate—multiple timelines, blurred realities, and a dash of supernatural intrigue. The novel combines themes of despair, manipulation, and the fragile thread of agency into a narrative that keeps you guessing until the very last page.

I thought I was stepping into a futuristic world. Chapter 3 name-drops the year 2044, which conjures visions of gleaming cities, flying cars, and revolutionary technology. But here's the kicker: the setting is ordinary. No Jetson-esque hovercrafts, no dazzling breakthroughs – Well, other than the time travel parts. This leaves the timeline slightly ambiguous—is it the future, or is this contemporary fiction disguised in futuristic clothing? It’s unclear whether the author intended this sense of uncertainty, but it adds a layer of intrigue to the story.

About halfway through the book, I found myself wondering: where’s the hook? The plot felt deceptively simple, almost too comfortable in its slow pace. But then came the twists—one after another, like dominos I didn’t realize had been set in motion. Just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s heading, the book blindsides you with another twist. The rush to the end is a whirlwind of shock and exhilaration, leaving you breathless and unsure of what’s real and what’s another illusion. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you’ve closed the cover.

If you’re searching for a book that will ignite debates in a reading group, this might be it. The Third Rule of Time Travel is bound to spark discussions—and maybe even disagreements—about its twists, its themes, and its many layers. But one thing’s for sure: boring, it is not.

The Bane Witch

Title: The Bane Witch
Author: Ava Morgyn
Published: March 18, 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin
Format: Kindle, Paperback 384 Pages
Genre: Witches and Murder
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Piers Corbin has always had an affinity for poisonous things - plants and men. From the pokeweed berries she consumed at age five that led to the accidental death of a stranger, to the husband whose dark proclivities have become… concerning, poison has been at the heart of her story. But when she fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her volatile marriage and goes to stay with her estranged great aunt in the mountains, she realizes her predilection is more than a hunger - it’s a birthright. Piers comes from a long line of poison eaters - Bane Witches – women who ingest deadly plants and use their magic to rid the world of evil men. Piers sets out to earn her place in her family’s gritty but distinguished legacy, all while working at her Aunt Myrtle’s cafe and perpetuating a flirtation with the local, well-meaning sheriff to allay his suspicions on the body count she’s been leaving in her wake. But soon she catches the attention of someone else, a serial killer operating in the area. And that only means one thing - it’s time to feed. In Ava Morgyn’s dark, thrilling novel, The Bane Witch, a very little poison can do a world of good.

My Opinion: This was a bit of a missed opportunity. Right out of the gate, the first few chapters felt rough—like reading a choppy draft instead of a polished novel. Sections felt rushed, almost like ideas were sketched out but never finished. Honestly, it had me on the edge of calling it quits (DNF, anyone?). But against my better judgment, I kept going.

At around 30%, I gave the writing a second chance. And, surprise—I started warming up to Piers/Acacia (she changed her name). Or maybe it was Myrtle who kept me hanging on. Still, the dual police storylines felt like a bit of a slog. Instead of pulling me in, they just dragged on, demanding my patience.

I couldn’t help thinking this standalone novel might’ve worked better as a duology. Around chapter 31 (in the ARC), the tone shifts, and it felt like a natural place to end a first book—after a good cleanup, of course—and breathe new life into a second one. Splitting the story might’ve given it room to develop instead of trying to cram it all in.

The thing about reading ARCs is you never know—will these glaring issues be fixed in the final release, or is this as good as it gets? There were moments where logic went out the window, sentences tripped over themselves, and continuity problems left me scratching my head. How did that sweatshirt in the car even make sense? It’s hard to tell if the author skipped the research or just decided to wing it, but some parts felt like they were asking me to suspend a lot of disbelief.

So, will I read more from this author? Eh, probably not. The potential was there, but the execution just didn’t click for me. It’s a shame because I wanted to enjoy it more than I did.