3.5 stars rounded up!

Nishita Parekh's debut novel promises a fresh take on a locked room thriller, and delivers...mostly.

I really enjoyed the family drama that framed this novel! I felt like it was a compelling set up, but simultaneously I felt that the thriller aspect of the book was overshadowed by it as well.

Not sure why, but in my head, Ishaan ended up as closer to 15 than 12. Perhaps it's how teenager-y his behavior seemed, but the whole novel I found myself frustrated with Jia's inability to listen to her son. I feel like a lot of this family's problems could be solved with communication instead of murder, but hey, this wouldn't be a very interesting novel then would it?

Definitely feel like I would read another novel by Nishita Parekh. There's potential here, and I can't wait to see what else she comes up with as she develops as an author!

Thank you to Nishita Parekh, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC! The Night of the Storm debuts on January 16, 2024!

Slow burn and predictable. The shock factor I was waiting for never happened and instead was predictable from the beginning.

This is Nishita Parekh's debut and it's got plenty of tension and all the elements needed for a locked room murder mystery.

The story takes place in Houston, where Jia and her son flee to her sister's house in the wake of an impending hurricane. They join multiple family members, including children and grandma and hope to safely wait out the storm. When the waters cut off their access and a murder occurs, no one is sure who is at fault and if anyone is safe!

Parekh has sprinkled in plenty of cultural information about Hinduism including foods, beliefs and the importance of family and listening to your elders. The family dynamics are well written and provide much of the tension. It is truly entertaining, tension-filled and culturally interesting. If you love a locked room thriller, would die for a scary storm story, of would like a story that features and Indian family, The Night of the Storm is for you!
#PenguinGroup #dutton #TheNightOfTheStorm

My expectations for this book were sky-high, especially since I am an avid fan of the claustrophobic locked room concept. The mere thought of being trapped in a confined space with a murderer, amidst a web of intricate and dysfunctional family drama, sent shivers down my spine and had my heart racing with anticipation.

As I delved into the pages, eager to embark on this suspenseful journey, I found myself immediately submerged in the depths of the family drama. The book seemed to prioritize the complex issues that plagued the characters' lives, including adultery, mansplaining, communication problems, and bitter custody battles. While these elements added layers to the crisis within the family, they overshadowed the suspense and thriller aspects that initially captured my attention. The book evolved more into an exploration of family dynamics rather than a gripping murder mystery, which left me craving more of the heart-pounding moments I had anticipated.

Furthermore, as I approached the final chapters and encountered the much-anticipated big twist, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. The twist, which I had already guessed midway through the story, didn't deliver the shock value I had hoped for. Instead, it elicited a slight eye-roll as I patiently made my way towards the finishing line.

While I hesitate to label my reading experience as bad or boring, I cannot deny the sense of unfulfilled expectations that lingered. I had hoped for a perfect blend of gripping suspense and captivating family drama, but unfortunately, the scales tipped more towards the latter. However, I do recognize that personal preferences play a significant role in how one connects with a book, and others may find the exploration of family dynamics immensely engaging.

With that said, I give this book a solid three-star rating, appreciating the author's skill in portraying complex family relationships and the courage to weave a murder mystery within such intricate dynamics. Although this particular book may not have met my high expectations, I remain hopeful for the author's next work, eagerly anticipating a read that will captivate me on all fronts.

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this digital copy. My honest feedback is a reflection of my personal reading experience, and I value the chance to engage with new works of literature.

This book is really bad. It was more of a dram with all the family squabbles. I kept waiting for the actual thriller, but when it came it was so corny it read like a comedy. I could tell her the murderer was within the first few pages, but the additional twists just made it worse.
I'm surprised this book got published. I want to give it two stars but I feel bad so I'm giving three.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read and review this book. This was my first and will be my only book read by this author. This story was not very interesting or intriguing and I couldn’t wait for it to be over. The shock factor you could see coming and I wasn’t surprised at the end. I’m really not sure what else to say about this one other than I did not enjoy it.