Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Puplication: November 28, 2023; Delacorte; NetGalley
Genre: YA, romance, teen
I liked the themes explored in the novel of a high school girl, Kiki Siregar of Jakarta using a boy's name for her game name online in order to protect herself, a girl, from ridicule and outright threats by male game players.
I thought that having her foil, the obnoxious wealthy gamer Jason, be her classmate at school, added to the conflict in the plot. It was also clever that her best friend on the online game happens to be another male classmate, neither of whom realizes that girl classmate Kiki is the game player they interact with online .
There is, of course, romance in the story of the teens. The author wrote an entertaining young romance with a broader message, that sexism in society and in some private schools give preference to males that put girls at a distinct disadvantage.
A book not just for YA and teen readers, but it has a message for adults as well.
I liked the themes explored in the novel of a high school girl, Kiki Siregar of Jakarta using a boy's name for her game name online in order to protect herself, a girl, from ridicule and outright threats by male game players.
I thought that having her foil, the obnoxious wealthy gamer Jason, be her classmate at school, added to the conflict in the plot. It was also clever that her best friend on the online game happens to be another male classmate, neither of whom realizes that girl classmate Kiki is the game player they interact with online .
There is, of course, romance in the story of the teens. The author wrote an entertaining young romance with a broader message, that sexism in society and in some private schools give preference to males that put girls at a distinct disadvantage.
A book not just for YA and teen readers, but it has a message for adults as well.
In my mailbox
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4) with an intro by Ruth Ware came courtesy of Penguin Random House. Publication Nov. 28, 2023, Signet.
The Agatha Christie mystery was first published in 1926 and is the Anthony Award Nominee for Best Novel of the Century (2000), CWA Best Ever for Crime Novel (2013)
Publisher: Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Then, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with an apparent drug overdose.
However, the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information, but before he could finish reading the letter, he was stabbed to death. Luckily one of Roger’s friends and the newest resident to retire to this normally quiet village takes over—none other than Monsieur Hercule Poirot . .
Are you a Poirot fan, and have you read this one?
The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan, came courtesty of Soho Press.
Publication: April 2, 2024, Soho Crime
Judge Dee surfaces again, in this new novel. I have read several of the detective novels featuring investigator Judge Dee, written in the 1960s by Dutch writer Robert Van Gulik
Publisher: London, 1924. When shy academic Lao She meets larger-than-life Judge Dee Ren Jie, his life abruptly turns from books to daring chases and narrow escapes. Dee has come to London to investigate the murder of a man he’d known during World War I when serving with the Chinese Labour Corps. No sooner has Dee interviewed the grieving widow than another dead body turns up. Then another. All stabbed to death with a butterfly sword. Will Dee and Lao be able to connect the threads of the murders—or are they next in line as victims?
John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan’s collaboration blends traditional gong'an crime fiction and the most iconic aspects of the Sherlock Holmes canon.
What's on your reading schedule this week and/or the rest of the month?ly202
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday.
Ah, Roger Ackroyd! That was the book that confirmed me as a mystery reader SO many years ago. There have been a lot of mysteries through my brain since then but none have exceeded "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" in its impact.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I have it to read now!
DeleteJust finished a History of Iceland a day or two earlier than expected, so up next is 'Narconomics - How to Run a Drug Cartel' by Tom Wainwright. After that will be 'Storm Force to Narvik' by Alexander Fullerton.
ReplyDeleteNarconomics sounds fascinating.
DeleteJust about to finish it. It's *really* good, although - being the subject matter that it is - a bit nasty at times...
DeleteHae you watched Breaking Bad on Netflix, about a meth dealer in New Mexico?
DeleteI've been reading some Hercule Poirot but haven't made it to Roger Ackroyd. People have told me that it's their favorite, so I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI'll be reading it too!
DeleteJesse Q. Sutanto is such a versatile author. She writes rom coms, suspense and now YA. I've been curious about "Didn't See That Coming" since I'd last visited the bookstore so I'm glad to hear it was a good read.
ReplyDeleteI seem to prefer her rom coms though the other books are enjoyable too.
DeleteThe teen book drew me in. Not a genre I would normally like.
ReplyDeleteNice to see what teens are up to these days.
DeleteAs a former gamer, Didn't See That Coming sounds really good!! I will have to look it up.
ReplyDeleteYou will have fun with this book if you're a gamer or former gamer!
DeleteI never read an Agatha Christie book and I reached out to my fellow bloggers, asking for recommendations. It was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which was recommended to me over and over. So I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd as my first Christie---and loved it.
ReplyDeleteThe gaming book sounds like a book that would appeal to many teens, I think.
Now I'm eager to read Roger Ackroyd.
DeleteI vividly remember reading Roger Ackroyd and feeling... well a bit torn, to be honest. I won't say more and look forward to finding out what you think:)). Have a great week:).
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I'll read and try to find out about a possible controversy.
DeleteI read a lot of Agatha Christie books before I started using Goodreads, so, of course, I can't remember the ones I have read and the ones I haven't. I hope you enjoy all of these.
ReplyDeleteSame here.
DeleteI am a big Poirot fan! Although I haven't yet read all of Christie's Poirot mysteries. Hopefully someday.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Poirot fan too but haven't read this one as yet
DeleteS.J.Rozan’s detectives (Lydia Chin and Bill Smith) are featured in a good series that I read a long time ago. I once volunteered to drive her from a book fair appearance to the airport so I feel as if I know her!
ReplyDeletebest… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Amazing that you met Rozan. Small world!
DeleteI like Agatha Christie books. I tend to prefer Miss Marple but I have read all the Poirot books too. I like most mysteries.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I like the eccentric Poirot but Miss Marple is equally interesting.
DeleteOh I haven't tried any YA by Jesse Q. Sutanto!
ReplyDeleteShe is spreading her wings into other genres. I've just read her first thriller, I'm Not Done with You Yet.
DeleteI like the sound of the first one. And I'd like to read Roger Aykroyd. That last one sounds like a fabulous read too, I like the time period.
ReplyDeleteWish I could read the Christie and the Ma book soon.
DeleteI really need to read more Agatha Christie.
ReplyDeleteA classic mystery writer, for sure.
DeleteI like the sound of Didnt See This Coming
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy reading week
Hope you get a chance to read it.
DeleteAdding the Christie to my TBR
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
Can't go wrong with this Christie book!
DeleteI have only heard of Christie. I am currently reading Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteHope to read them all!
ReplyDeleteAll your books sound good. Have a good week and Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha.
DeleteI still need to read the Judge Dee's novels, but it's fun to see him here again
ReplyDeleteYes, it's nice he has been revived!
DeleteI don't know what it's going to take to get me to read Agatha Christie. Despite the best intentions, and the books of hers I've purchased, I never seem to get around to it. Maybe this one is where I should begin...or will it be all downhill after that if I do so?
ReplyDeleteThis one has gotten rave reviews. I haven't read it but I hope to.
Delete