Book Review: The Understudy

Title: The Understudy

Author: Morgan Richter

Publisher: Knopf

Publication Date: August 5, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 star

"The Understudy" had all the elements that draw me to psychological suspense: a seemingly perfect facade masking dark secrets, a ruthless antagonist willing to do anything to get what she wants, and murder in an unexpectedly sinister setting. Morgan Richter weaves these elements into the high-stakes world of New York City opera, where an experienced singer faces off against her dangerously ambitious understudy in a modern adaptation of "Barbarella."

The story starts slowly, taking time to establish the competitive world of New York City opera and the complex dynamic between Kit, the protagnist, and her understudy, Yolanda. The story kicks into a higher gear when a shocking murder at the midpoint transforms the narrativef rom a story of professional rivalry into a compelling psychological thriller.

The novel's strength lies in its complex characterization. Richter presents us with deeply flawed individuals who occupy the morally ambiguous territory between hero and villain. The exception is Yolanda, who emerges as an unabashedly malevolent force. The author effectively portrays her as a dark mirror reflecting the cutthroat nature of the performing arts world.

Richter succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere where ambition, jealousy, and murder intertwine in the high-stakes world of opera. With this sophomore novel, she shows she is indeed a great new artistic talent to watch in the world of murder and suspense,

A big thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Good Mood Revolution

Title: Good Mood Revolution

Author: Matt O'Neill

Publisher: Advantage Books

Publication Date: December 17, 2024

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Matt O'Neill's book promises to turn happiness into a learnable skill, focusing on eight primary bad moods—shame, guilt, hopelessness, sadness, fear, desire, anger, and pride—and offering strategies to overcome them. Then focuses on eight primary good moods—humility, responsibility, confidence, acceptance, gratitude, love, joy and peace—and showing how we often lie and self-sabotage, then providing a truth to counter and overcome each lie. The author's approach of contrasting each negative mood with its positive counterpart provides an intriguing perspective on emotional management.

O'Neill's writing is direct and accessible, making emotional concepts digestible. The book's brevity is both a strength and a weakness. Concise chapters provide quick, actionable guidance, but readers seeking deep psychological insights might find the treatment superficial. The God-centered approach adds a spiritual dimension that will resonate differently with various readers.

The most valuable aspect is its emphasis on personal agency. O'Neill reinforces that we are active creators of our internal emotional landscape, offering techniques for cultivating confidence and breaking free from negativity. However, the book doesn't break significant new ground in the self-help genre, with many concepts feeling familiar to seasoned personal development readers.

"Good Mood Revolution" serves as a solid primer for individuals beginning their journey of emotional self-improvement. It's a quick read that provides practical lessons and a framework for understanding and managing one's emotional state. The book's greatest strength lies in its accessibility and its core message: happiness is not something to be chased, but something to be consciously created using the tools (and downloadable exercises) he provides.

A big thank you to Advantage Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.