This review post is all about the Mysteries of the Southern Gothic, Book II of The Manchineel series by Jessica Carrrasquillo.
CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, MYSTERY/THRILLER, ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
title: MYSTERIES OF THE SOUTHERN GOTHIC
series: the manchineel series, book II
AUTHOR: JESSICA CARRASQUILLO
GENRES: THRILLER, SUSPENSE, ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: INDIE, SONGBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
PUBLISHING DATE: 9/24/2024
FORMAT: PAPERBACK/KINDLE
PAGE COUNT:
337 PAGES (E-BOOK) 295 PAGES (PAPERBACK)
SOURCE: ADVANCED READER COPY VIA THE AUTHOR AND BOOK FUNNEL
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MY THOUGHTS ABOUT “mysteries of the southern gothic”
I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on Mysteries of the Southern Gothic, the latest from Jessica Carrasquillo. Huge thanks to the author and BookFunnel for the advanced reader copy! After devouring The Manchineel, I couldn’t wait to dive back into this romantic thriller series that’s stolen my heart.
The Manchineel introduced us to a stunning femme fatale entering an affair with a lawyer trapped in a toxic marriage. Check out my full review of book one of The Manchineel Series for all the juicy details. CLICK HERE. But Mysteries of the Southern Gothic takes a different approach – this time, two true crime podcasters are obsessed with cracking the chilling case of Calliope Katsaros, an 8-year-old who vanished years ago.
I was on the edge of my seat wondering how these storylines would connect and if this sequel could live up to the first book’s magic. Keep reading for my honest take!
this review post is all about "mysteries of the southern gothic"
“mysteries of the southern gothic” book summary
Beneath the haunting shadows of the South, a tale of loss and betrayal unfolds. Ulysses Katsaros, a troubled mental health counselor, grapples with the unexplained disappearance of his sister, Calliope. His path crosses with Rosario Martinez, a daring young woman and co-host of the popular Mysteries of the Southern Gothic true crime podcast.
As Ulysses wrestles with personal demons and haunting memories, Rosario delves into Calliope’s mysterious vanishing, suspecting it’s linked to the sinister Church of the Ninth Order. Their investigation deepens, and a surprising intimacy blossoms between them. Driven by the pursuit of justice, Rosario finds herself crossing professional boundaries for love, further complicating their mission.
Their journey is fraught with confrontations with law enforcement, the resurgence of old flames, and personal dilemmas that test their loyalties. Will their search for answers bring them closer together, or will the truths they uncover tear them apart?
"Mysteries of the Southern Gothic" BOOK REVIEW
UNPACKING THE PLOT OF “mysteries of the southern gothic”
Meet Ulysses Katsaros, an artist and substance abuse counselor whose luck has run dry. He’s haunted by a painful past, one that he’s reluctant to revisit. After being burned by unethical journalism years ago, his resistance is understandable. But when the tenacious Rosario Martinez, host of the true crime podcast “Mysteries of the Southern Gothic,” sets her sights on his story, he finds himself drawn in.
Rosario is like a honey badger and won’t let up, plus it doesn’t hurt that she’s drop dead gorgeous. Her friend and co-host, Shawnee, is just as determined. She will stop at nothing to provide the juiciest episodes for their listeners.
The story starts with a slow burn, but the tension ramps up when Shawnee takes matters into her own hands – a pursuit that proves dangerous.
"It's a place where people want to live simply and worship God, free of government oppression. That's all. I guess that kind of lifestyle is becoming more attractive now that the world's gone to heck in a handbasket."
As the mystery unfolds, the podcast delves into the dark world of a sinister cult known as The Church of the Ninth Order. Calliope’s disappearance is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s something much larger and more ominous at play.
The story also features a subplot involving the tumultuous romance that blooms between Ulysses and Rosario.
THE CHARACTERS THAT BROUGHT “mysteries of the southern gothic” TO LIFE
Rosario Martinez is a determined young woman with a passion for true crime. She’s already loaded from her family’s inheritance, so she’s not in it for fame or the money. No, she’s in it for the love of the game.
You can’t help but like her, even as she dances on the line of morality, making choices that leave you shaking your head.
In addition, she has questionable taste in men (totally relatable!) which made her character interesting. I kept wondering what was it in Rosario’s past that attracted her to true crime and broken men.
“Their daily text conversations, although just friendly, gave her insight into the kind of man he was. Caring, thoughtful.There’s potential here, and it’s too good to let go over a set of circumstances that would break most people.”
Then there’s Shawnee, the butch best friend everyone wishes they had. This woman isn’t afraid to throw hands or get them dirty in order to get things done. Her snarky humor and no-nonsense attitude inject a much-needed spark of fun into the darkness. You’ll find yourself craving more of her on the page because Shawnee is the kind of character who makes a story pop.
Ulysses, on the other hand, is a different story. This guy! He is undeniably hot, but those looks come with a side of serious baggage. As an alcoholic haunted by his past, the investigation into his sister’s disappearance sends him spiraling.
There are moments you’ll ache for him, want to help him pick up the shattered pieces of his life. But then there are the times you’ll want to scream, “Get it together, man!” Because at his core, Ulysses is decent, he’s just… a lot.
He’s emotionally driven, often acting on feeling rather than reason. Basically, a typical Pisces male! You can see why Rosario falls for him, but this novel is a cautionary tale of why you should NEVER fall in love with just potential.
“I know you said we’re better as friends, but there was a minute there you wanted to try for something more, and I ruined it.”
THE WRITING STYLE THAT MAKES “mysteries of the southern gothic” MEMORABLE
The true power of this novel lies in its character development. The main characters are so intimately drawn that you can’t help but feel you know them inside and out. Take the overly emotional Ulysses, for example–his inner turmoil leaps off the page. And then there’s Shawnee. Her snarky humor and bluntness remind me of the tom-boy I knew growing up.
Including the podcast message boards is a masterstroke, making the reader feel like a true crime podcast devotee along for the thrilling ride. You’re on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next shocking revelation with each riveting episode.
If the novel has a flaw, it’s the slightly slow pacing at the start. Unlike the instant conflict of The Manchineel, this story takes a little time to warm up. But be patient, because by chapter 17 the fireworks begin. Think mouth-dropping revelations, cult craziness, tumultuous love affairs, and a murder mystery that will keep you guessing.
Another thing that I noticed was the tendency to tell rather than show what the characters are thinking and feeling. A little more action and subtext would have made these moments shine. But despite this, it’s impossible not to become invested in their journeys.
The tie-in to The Manchineel is cleverly done, leaving you eagerly anticipating the moment Elyse Santiago and Rosario Martinez finally cross paths. The big question is – who will come out on top in book three?
If you haven’t read The Manchineel yet, do yourself a favor and get a copy. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Was “Mysteries of the Southern Gothic” spicy?
Warning: “Mysteries of the Southern Gothic” Packs Heat! Buckle up, because this read is spicy! You’ll be questioning your feelings about the complex intimacy between the leads.
Let’s just say it earns its two chili peppers 🌶️🌶️ . I won’t spoil it, but be prepared for complicated.
“He presses her back against the car door. His kiss is hungry, urgent. Her blood rushes through her veins, pulsing in molten bursts.”
I’m obsessed with this series! It serves up all the juicy elements of a great true crime podcast:
Twisted family dynamics? Check.
Murder most foul? Check.
Love affairs doomed from the start? Check.
Law enforcement dropping the ball? Check.
A mind-blowing conclusion? Double check!
The portrayal of messy relationships feels startlingly realistic, especially involving the impaired character of Ulysses. It’s a refreshing take on the dark romance trope.
If love dark romantic thrillers and true crime podcasts are your thing, then Jessica Carrasquillo’s Mysteries of the Southern Gothic is your perfect match. Click the link below to get your copy now! It’s available both on Kindle and Paperback.
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Thanks for reading this book review of Mysteries of the Southern Gothic. If you’ve had a chance to read this series, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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