Member Reviews

Thank you for the ARC that was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited to read this debut novel but overall I was a little disappointed. There seemed to be a lot of drama but it felt whiney and did not add much to the overall story. I was really looking for that book with the "trapped in a house during a storm with a killer" vibe and in turn it was pretty predictable and underwhelming. Ms. Parekh did give wonderful descriptions of Indian cuisine and culture, so that I appreciated.

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Although I am not familiar with the cultural background of the characters, I found myself understanding and interested in how and why the choices they made.
The characters were well rounded and believable.
I wasn't able to predict the ending and was quite surprised!
A unique setting with empathetic characters.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. While it’s not the kind of fast-paced thriller that will leave your heart racing, it still manages to keep you fully engaged from start to finish. The story is rich with family drama set in a "locked room" scenario, which adds an intriguing layer to the plot. I particularly appreciated how the author incorporated different cultural elements, making the narrative all the more compelling and thought-provoking. The ending had some unexpected twists, delivering a satisfying conclusion. I also love when a book includes a “six months later” epilogue, and this one went above and beyond by adding a “before the storm” chapter at the end. I recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thoughtfully crafted, character-driven thriller. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader’s copy.

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Having personally lived through Hurricane Harvey, this locked-room mystery hit all the right notes. I read it in one straight shot, as I needed to know the who-dun-it.

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This was just meh for me. As a big mood reader I think I forced myself to read this when I wasn’t in the right headspace. I think it had great potential. I want to read it again in the future when I am in the mood for a thriller.

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I was so looking forward to this. It had an intriguing premise and a suspenseful atmosphere. The writing is vivid but the pacing feels uneven, and some character motivations are underdeveloped. Overall, it's fine, though it could have been stronger.

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The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh is a gripping and atmospheric locked-room thriller that blends family drama with a suspenseful mystery, all set against the backdrop of the devastating Hurricane Harvey. The novel follows Jia Shah, a single mother, as she seeks refuge in her sister Seema’s house in Sugarland, Texas, with her son, Ishaan, while the storm rages outside. What begins as a tense but typical family gathering quickly spirals into a nightmarish situation when two dead bodies are discovered, and Jia finds herself trapped in the house with a murderer.

Parekh’s debut novel skillfully weaves together the chaos of a natural disaster with the intricacies of family dynamics. The family’s layered tensions—complicated by Jia’s divorce, her strained relationship with her sister’s husband, and the presence of a critical matriarch—create a tense atmosphere long before the storm escalates into a murder mystery. As floodwaters rise outside and escape becomes impossible, Jia must navigate her own fears while trying to protect her son, identify the killer, and clear her name before she becomes the next victim.

The multi-generational family and their personal struggles are central to the story, providing a rich emotional depth to the suspense. Jia’s character, a loving but frazzled mother, is relatable and her determination to protect her son amid the danger is both heart-wrenching and heroic. The pacing is tight, with Parekh skillfully balancing the suspense of the locked-room mystery with the emotional tension within the family.

Overall, The Night of the Storm is a standout debut that will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers and locked-room mysteries. Parekh offers a fresh perspective on the genre, blending family drama, suspense, and a bit of Indian-American cultural insight to create a compelling, page-turning narrative. The twisty plot and tense atmosphere make it an addictive read that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.

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The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh had the potential to be a captivating locked-room mystery, but unfortunately, it fell a bit short for me. The premise—a multigenerational Indian American family trapped in a house during Hurricane Harvey with a potential murderer—had all the makings of an intense thriller. However, the execution felt uneven. I found myself distracted by small details that seemed to be overlooked, like characters picking up and putting down phones or reappearing in rooms without clear transitions. These inconsistencies took away from the flow and left me frustrated, especially in a murder mystery where attention to detail is crucial.

That said, the story kept me turning pages, and I appreciated the exploration of family dynamics, though I struggled to connect with some of the cultural aspects. What started with promise and action fizzled out, and I had to push myself to finish it. While it wasn’t the gripping thriller I expected, I’m hopeful that with more editorial precision, Parekh’s next novel will better deliver on the potential I saw here.

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✨Book Review✨
The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh
⭐️⭐️
.
DNF at 44%. I wanted to like this book, but it reminded me so much of Leave the World Behind and I hated that book lol. Nothing really happens. It does have decent atmosphere, but by 44 percent nothing kept my attention so I knew it was time to move on. A large portion of the story so far was focused on the main character and how much she wanted to keep custody of her son, but her son seemed pretty awful. I also was so disinvested that I wasn't paying too much attention so don't give my review too much weight.

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Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I found this book to be just ok. Its about a divorced woman who is struggling financially and raising a 12 year old boy. Along comes a hurrican and house has to move in with her sister. So there is family drama etc. The thriller part is there is a murder that was unexpected but it keeps you guessing.

The one thing I did not like is the Indian customs. Its just wasn't for me.

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I requested this book because I’ve been getting interested in thrillers and whodunit novels. The title and cover caught my attention without reading the synopsis first. I understand this novel is Nishita Parakh’s debut. Thought I’d give it a shot.
Started out slow. Keep in mind, this is an Indian (India) household which I got excited because I like reading about their cultures and it has always been fascinating to me.
It’s about a young divorced mother who was evacuated to her sist’er’s house in a rich neighborhood due to Hurricane Harvey hitting Houston, Texas. Other family members arrived at her sister’s house also to shelter from the storm.
Things started to take dark turns such as weird phone calls and texts, neighbor spying on the main POV as she arrived at her sister’s house with her young son, tires slashed and her brother in law hitting on her. As Jia and her son hunkers down with the family members, jealousy shows among several females causing discomfort and personalities to show. A neighbor arrived and stay with them only to end up dead inside of the home. Jia must find out if this was an accident or a murder before the storm escalates.
It’s a good plot for a debut. However I felt it dragged on. It didn’t really keep me guessing all the time. There were several things that threw me off. I wasn’t too impressed with the ending because it was too unrealistic. I also felt it was wrapped up too quickly.
Three and a quarter stars from me.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House for this eARC.
As usual, all of my reviews are purely my own opinions without any influence from any publisher.

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Nishita Parekh's debut novel delivers a gripping and fresh twist on the classic locked-room thriller, skillfully weaving together the complexities of family dynamics with the suspense of a murder mystery, all set against the backdrop of Hurricane Harvey. "Marooned in the Storm" brings readers into the heart of a multigenerational Indian American family trapped in a house as the storm rages outside—and a murderer lurks within.

The protagonist, Jia Shah, is a single mother facing a tempest of her own. Already grappling with the challenges of raising her son, Ishaan, after a messy divorce, Jia’s world is thrown into further disarray when they are forced to evacuate their home and seek refuge at her sister’s upscale residence. Parekh masterfully captures Jia’s internal struggles—her fears about solo parenting, her worries about Ishaan's future, and the suffocating scrutiny of her ex-husband, who is all too eager to pounce on any perceived mistake.

The tension in the story builds slowly but surely, as Parekh introduces us to a cast of characters each with their own secrets and grudges. The strained relationships between Jia, her sister Seema, and the rest of the family are depicted with an authenticity that adds layers of depth to the plot. As the storm outside intensifies, so does the drama inside the house. The arrival of Seema’s in-laws, along with the ever-present judgment of the family matriarch, creates a volatile atmosphere that ultimately leads to murder.

What makes "Marooned in the Storm" stand out is its seamless blending of cultural nuances with universal themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and survival. Parekh doesn't shy away from exploring the complicated dynamics that often exist within families, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds, and she does so with a deft touch that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

As the night progresses and the body count rises, the story becomes a race against time. Jia’s desperation to protect her son and clear her name makes for a compelling read, as she navigates through the lies and half-truths of those around her. The claustrophobic setting of the storm-battered house adds to the suspense, making it impossible to put the book down until the final twist is revealed.

In her debut, Parekh has crafted a story that is not only a thrilling page-turner but also a poignant exploration of family ties and the lengths one will go to in order to protect their loved ones. "Marooned in the Storm" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who appreciates a story where the stakes are as high emotionally as they are physically. Nishita Parekh is definitely a new voice to watch in the genre.

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This just wasn't for me. The writing was mediocre, the story was bland. Just not my favorite. It had a good premise but that's where the good stuff ends for me.

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I’m a sucker for a locked-room trope and I was excited to read this one from a new author.

Pacing was a bit slow but overall I think it was well written with interesting characters.

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#TheNightOfTheStorm #NetGalley
Awesome.
Hurricane Harvey is descending on Houston. Meanwhile, thirty-something single mom Jia Shah and her son Ishaan are having a week. The twelve-year-old has been on suspension from his new school for striking a classmate and Jia is worried that their move to Houston and her divorce from Ishaan’s father is negatively impacting him. And doesn’t a boy need a father? Now there’s a mandatory evacuation in their neighborhood. They pack up to ride out Harvey in Houston’s tony suburb Sugarland, where Jia’s sister Seema lives with her husband and toddler. The only problem? Seema’s arrogant husband, Vipul, has started blowing up her phone with cheesy love poems that will soon escalate to a mortifying photo. But to ensure her son’s safety from the storm Jia must steel herself and go. After all, her philandering ex back in Chicago is all too eager for Jia to make a misstep so he can snatch back custody. Vipul’s brother and sister-in-law also show up to take refuge in Sugarland. Tensions rise as quickly as the flood waters as Grandma, the family matriarch, plays favorites among her sons and their wives. The family can’t seem to stop bickering and then a neighbor reeking of alcohol knocks on the door. A few hours and two dead bodies later, Jia becomes the prime suspect. Marooned in the house with a murderer, with no help available until the waters recede in the morning, Jia must protect her son and identify the real culprit before she goes down for a crime she didn’t commit—or becomes the next victim.
I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a new to be author. Decided to check her out from the cover alone. But then discovered she was of Indian culture and I love reading different cultures from my own. It was a good book. Felt it was a little simplistic. Could have been edited a bit more.

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This was an average thriller. I found it to be rather boring and predictable at times. I will still read read her next book if or when she writes one.

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This book honestly fell flat for me and was not my cup of tea. The idea of the plot reeled me in but this book could not keep me attention. It was a very predictable book.

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3.5 stars rounded down. i love a locked-room mystery, and while this one was compelling and enjoyable, it just fell flat for me. i really enjoyed the family dynamics that were present, but i almost wished we had leaned into them more.

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This wasn't quite what I was expecting. I wanted more "thrill" and less of the family drama, but still a well done novel...

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