Passiontide is a delightful mix of literary fiction and mystery with a feminist twist. We watch women come together to protect one another when society fails to do so itself. The community created between these characters is incredibly moving. Would absolutely recommend this read!

Passiontide was such a great read. I loved the character development and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

This is a perfect example of fiction with a strong message. Roffey uses this novel to give readers the tools for resistance. The fact that it was inspired by a true story is heartbreaking but necessary.

There are 81,000 women and girls killed per year, according to NGO Womankind worldwide. The UN says 45,000 of these die at the hands of an intimate partner or a family member. Femicide is a global problem.

"My sister.....'disappeared.' They found some of her clothes, a yellow skirt and a white blouse, blood on them. No body, ever. We had no body to bury. We never speak about it. No one does. Like she never even existed. Nothing we could say could bring her back, so nothing was ever said."

This book was one hell of a ride. The story is a re-imagining of true events that occurred in the Trinidad & Tobago 2016 carnival season. It is a multi pov story that tells the story of a society where violence against women has permeated its fabric so deeply that it has become commonplace. The murder of a foreigner has now sparked outcry from the local women as they seek to force men in this misogynistic society to see the humanity of womanhood and do something meaningful to protect them. As the saying goes, 'it is never all men, but it is always a man'. As to be expected, the women's movement is initially not supported by the men folk or even many women, but thankfully, the sisterhood eventually unites for the betterment of !!!.

"I mean, I don't wish to upset anyone, but, while this is a horrible crime, and while it is entirely regrettable, and while we must find the killer, I do have to add that ...it is up to women to avoid being molested while carnival is happening."

"I mean,...did she try to fight her attacker off? No. It could easily be that she drank too much, and so she behaved in a certain way. I mean, so many women at carnival time behave and dress in such a lewd and vulgar way, is like a hazard. They askin for this kind of thing to happen."

I know some criticized this book as being a little too on the nose, a little too heavy and direct with the misogyny. But I urge you to re-read the two above quotes and then research the real like speech of the mayor of the city where this even occurred, and tell me if you were to spot a difference. Misogyny and femicide are often handed out overtly and in very obviously harmful ways, so I appreciate the author being so very blatant about it. Let us reserve our delicate sensibilities for other areas.

📚 Passiontide by Monique Roffey 📚

Imagine my excitement when I was sent this book by the same author as Mermaid of Black Conch. Thank @aaknopf ! It is available as of September 10th in the US.

I read this book so quickly! It has a heavy topic - femicide - and heady writing about the people and the Caribbean setting, but it still went by too fast and I wish there were more pages.

The characters drew me in, even the gross, misguided men in power, and the women were everything. Yes this is a book about murder and femicide and domestic violence, but it's also a book about activism and nonviolent protest and community and I really loved it. It is not a fairy tale, the ending will have people talking and probably raging, but it's so good.

*Passiontide* is a gripping and emotionally charged story set on the fictional island of St. Colibri, where the murder of a Japanese steel pan player sparks a feminist uprising. Drawing inspiration from real-life events, this novel is a powerful exploration of femicide, misogyny, and the resilience of women. Through the perspectives of four women—a journalist, an activist, a prostitute, and the prime minister’s wife—Roffey weaves a story that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful.

The vivid setting and authentic Caribbean dialogue immerse the reader, making the island itself feel like a character. The blend of tragedy and humor adds layers to an already compelling narrative, and the sharp critique of patriarchy makes this a story that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate socially relevant, character-driven fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and A. R. Phillips Press for the ARC.

A feminist movement is set in motion by the death of a woman in the Caribbean. As the women protest femicide throughout Lent, the movement grows and they feel things start to shift - but in the end, does anything really change?

Told through the eyes of the movement’s leaders, four women from different walks of life, and the men in their lives, this is a powerful, heartbreaking, sometimes funny, and often relatable tale of women fighting back in a world that treats them as disposable. We hear from Tara, the activist; Sharleen, the journalist; Gigi, the prostitute; and Daisy, the Prime Minister’s wife. An unlikely coalition, these women band together to form a lasting force for change.

Despite the heavy subject matter, I enjoyed reading this, and it drew me in. The writing style is unique, with a smattering of Caribbean slang and nuance that made me slow down to really take it all in.

Easily one of my favorite reads of 2024. So many characters to love and narratives that need to be told!

When Japanese pan player Sora Tanaka is murdered at the end of the Carnival celebration on the Caribbean island St. Colibri, it is the last straw for the women of the island. They are absolutely fed up with women dying at the hands of men and their government and law enforcement doing nothing about it.

This murder sparks a national protest, which draws international attention. What started as a few dozen women camping out turns into hundreds of women marching, protesting, and participating in a sex strike.

Told from the perspectives of feminist leaders, sex workers, the prime minister and his wife, the cop in charge of the investigation -- you can see how differently each one reacts to the movement and the repercussions. It will inspire and infuriate you at the same time!

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of this immensely enjoyable novel. in all honesty, I'm not done reading it just yet, but I can tell it's on track to be among my favorite reads of 2024. it's got elements that draw me in every time - overt feminist themes, sassy, obstinate and headstrong female characters, and it's just damn well-written. The vernacular is charming and adds a great deal to the depth of the story without ever coming across as pejorative. I can't wait to see who killed Sora. I suspect I'll know in a day or two, because I really can't put this book down.

A layered and important read.

I had no expectations going into this book but the writing gripped me right away. One thing I truly loved about this book was how Roffey painted such a vivid and colourful picture of the island. The story itself is inspiring in its bleakness. When a Japanese steel pan player is found murdered at the end of Carnival, a movement of women starts with just a handful of women and we get to see how one woman's death brings attention to the bigger problem at large.

This is a story that will stay with me for years to come.

A tough layered look at the issue of femicide. Roffey sets her tale, which is based on a real incident (incidents to be fair ) on a fictional island in the Caribbean. Know that it might take a minute to get into the rhythm of the dialogue but it's worth it because this is both realistic and adds to the atmospherics. This moves between very different women who share outrage and determination. It might seem polemic at times but it's always on message. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good, topical read.

Passiontide by Trinidadian 🇹🇹 author Monique Roffey is a powerful commentary on the plight of women and girls around the world. Very real statistics note that 85,000 women and girls are killed annually; 45,000 of those murdered by lovers or family. My God. Just think: girls forced to marry as babies, mutilation, not allowed an education, abuse, rape, femicide. It’s overwhelming.

The story begins with the murder of Sora Tanaka found at the base of a cannonball tree. This novel was sparked by the very real 2017 murder of a Japanese tourist found in Trinidad.

The setting is the fictional St. Colobri which is very Trinidadlike with the description of the setting, creole dialogue and people of African and Indian mixed ethnicity. The author goes back and forth between characters connected to the murder: a detective, the dead woman’s friends, the prime minister and his wife, the forensic pathologist, a reporter/activist and even a legal prostitute turned activist. There’s friendship, love, self-examination. You are taken through the beginning stages of a movement like #metoo all the way to a full blown occupation of the town square by the islands women. There is a sex boycott, marches and a tent city. Women doing something as Caribbean revolutionaries before them like Nanny of the Maroons and Grenada’s Jaqueline Creft. I had to stop to look up some of the other women mentioned. I was engaged in learning along the way.

I struggled through the first half of the book because it was not a feel good kind of story. At all. I wanted to find out who the murderer was and him punished. But the author takes you through context and the culture that allows femicide to thrive and mostly unpunished. There’s layers! I can’t spoil the ending for you. I will say that I felt a way by the end as a women in the world. Sometimes unprotected, unappreciated for my power, sometimes vulnerable but knowing that I do have education, strength, opportunity and a VOICE! In reality, women and girls in the world suffer daily. Even as Kamala surges toward the White House. You must read! It’s amazing!

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse @aaknopf for my beautiful copy and the NetGalley!

Passiontide is a story set on the fictional small Caribbean island of St. Colibri, taking its tragic inspiration from a real-life event: the murder of Asami Nagakiya, a Japanese woman found murdered in the Queen’s Park Savannah (Trinidad and Tobago) in 2016.

Passiontide takes place during the last two weeks of Lent and begins with the death of Sora Tanaka, a Japanese panplayer. It continues with the power of standing up to ignored murders, misogyny, and domestic violence and ends with strong women coming together regardless of religion or race. Passiontide is told from multiple points of view, including now dead Sora as well as her murderer (whose likely identity gradually becomes clear - although this is not a crime novel but a polemical critique of colonialism, patriarchy, and sexism). This is the story when enough women stand up and say no.

The story is bleak and uplifting, with sharp, clever humor and a genuine stand-up-and-cheer feel about some of the scenes. I highly recommend this book by Costa Award-winning author Monique Roffey.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!

A Japanese pan player is murdered during Carnival which sets off an anti femicide movement in this slightly different murder mystery. I wanted to like it but it just didn’t work for me. Character sections were short and choppy and the story never really seemed gel for me. Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

Although this novel started slow, it was worth pushing through for the opportunity to see a movement develop in all its glory and confusion. When a Japanese steel pan player is found murdered at the end of Carnaval, it serves as a catalyst for all the women in mourning and in fear of their own lives. A movement that starts with a handful of women coming together over food and ideas ends up drawing huge crowds and international attention. Although the murdered woman, Sora, has a voice throughout the book, it really isn't about her. There are many other characters that the author successfully fleshes out and I appreciate the skill it took to give so many of them depth. I liked reading about the imperfections, lucky breaks, spontaneous moments, organized chaos, and the coming together of women from all over the island who were simply fed up with the rampant disregard for their wellbeing. The men are not portrayed very kindly here, with perhaps one exception. They are horny, condescending, self-serving, while also being incredibly dependent on the women around them. Even when they "do the right thing," it's with an eye on what they can get from it. The ugliness of the circumstances did not deter from the power that came from the movement, though. Even soldiers couldn't crush an uprising that consisted of religious and spiritual women resembling their aunties and grandmas!

Although I loved the dialect and dialog I got bogged down in the story itself. The premise is good and it certainly sets the scene for what follows. I found it difficult to relate to the location. Maybe it was just too far out of my usual reading zone? So, I would say give it a try if the location and description intrigues you. It's different! Different is good.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I know many will enjoy it.

This mystery works on a lot of different levels. Terrifically depicted fictional Caribbean island setting and some unforgettable characters.

The basic plot is the investigation into the murder of a young foreign musician tourist during the Carnaval. But her death spotlights the horrifying statistics of the many murdered women on this island and in this region. Locals, tourists, abused women -- and apparently they rarely get solved. They even form a local task force to try and deal with the high incidence of femicide, but it feels like this is only for show and no one expects results.

The characters are great and layered. The local police chief, busy with not only a wife but a girlfriend on the side. Sometimes he appears unmotivated and burned out, but at other times he has keen insights and investigative chops. Then there is the island political structure, the mayor and his superiors who are breathing down his neck. The local White coroner, vastly overworked and suffering from increasing PTSD.

But the real strength is the female characters. And they decide they have had enough of empty promises and being ignored. They start a grass roots movement in response to the latest death that grows through social media, international press and word of mouth to something beyond their wildest dreams. They have a local sex workers union, musicians, activists, housewives, students, political wives -- quite the conglomeration of different backgrounds but it seems to work.

A dark and troubling ending which the author in an afterword said she left in after she read about some real life additional murders. If you are looking for something different and thought-providing, I recommend this. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

PASSIONTIDE by Monique Roffey

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the ARC ebook to read.


The title, Passiontide, is the last two weeks of Lent. On the small tropical island of St. Colibri, carnival is just over and Sora Tanaka, a young Japanese steel-pan player is found brutally murdered lying under a cannonball tree. Because the island is known for women being murdered, there is a special unit within the police called OMWEN, the Office for Murdered Women. There have been five hundred women on the island killed. It took a foreign woman to be killed before an inept group consisting of a police inspector and local government cared to have the person found; only because of it looking bad for tourism.

Sora’s death has finally made women say, “enough is enough” and four women from various walks of life, join forces and find new ways to help one another and soon more and more women join in this rebellion. Sora’s voice of the dead, is used throughout the novel. Femicide is the topic in, Passiontide. Raffey starts this novel off with the impression of a detective story; becoming apparent that “state-approved, and state-sanctioned misogyny” plays out with the prime minister, mayor, inspector, and almost all the male characters.

Overall I enjoyed this book. There is an unfamiliar (to me) island lexicon that hampered my reading till I became more familiar with it. I believe it is the Trinidadian English that gives the narrative authenticity. I enjoyed the larger-than-life characters Roffey created. I look forward to seeing what Monique Roffey has next for us.

The murder of a Japanese tourist during Carnival on the fictional island of St. Colibri sets the women residents into a massive protest to address the high rate of femicide on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Their demands are reasonable to address the abuses of women and misogynistic practices that permeate their culture at all levels of socio-economic classes.

Roffey employs a diverse cast of characters to convey the diverse views and philosophies concerning the patriarchy, role of women in their community, the political motivation behind policies and the lack of concern regarding women's issues. Leaders of the movement include a journalist, sex worker, activist, and the wife of a prominent politician. These women face challenges from the personal, political, and police and the reader is immersed in their adventures as they work their way through tough decisions and relationship drama. Echoes of the #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements ring throughout the story.

Although, the story waned for me (I became a bit weary and was a bit disappointed with the conclusion), I think many will find the story compelling and timely. Roffey should be admired for bringing attention to an overlooked problem and the timeless issues surrounding patriarchy and misogyny.

Thanks to the publisher, Penguin-Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review.

“When murder goes unpunished, then murder becomes tolerated. Then society becomes murderous… By not catching, let alone punishing the killers of women”, Tara continued, ignoring him, “you are in effect making murder legal.”
Five hundred women have been murdered over the years on St. Colibri and the police just don’t seem to care. Not until a foreign woman is murdered. Because that will be bad for tourism and the economy. The investigation is run by an incompetent detective. The politicians are happy to indulge in victim shaming. So, four women, from different backgrounds, take matters into their own hands. A reporter, an activist, the leader of the local sex workers collective and the PM’s wife. What starts as a small protest grows by leaps and bounds.
The story is inspired by the deaths of two women in Port of Spain, Trinidad not to mention the real problem of femicide throughout the world. It made me want to scream, to laugh, to cry. Despite facing long odds, there was a great feeling of optimism with this story. I loved its message of women from across a wide spectrum of class, age and religion coming together in a grassroots effort to enforce change.
The story is told from multiple third person narratives, one being that of the dead woman. That part really didn’t work for me, as I am NOT a fan of the supernatural. Luckily, that part was small. But I became a huge fan of the women, I wanted to see them succeed, to grow, to find their way. I was impressed with Roffey’s ability to create so many characters that felt real - their ambitions, their loves, their hopes and fears were all fleshed out.
I was surprised by the ending. But in her Afterword, Roffey spells out the reason for it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for an advance copy of this book.