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.

Book Review: An Insignificant Case

Title: An Insignificant Case

Author: Phillip Margolin

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publication Date: November 5, 2024

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Phillip Margolin's latest standalone legal novel follows Charlie Webb, a struggling lawyer thrust into a high-stakes case that begins with a quirky artist's painting theft and quickly escalates into a complex investigation involving sex trafficking and murder. Webb, a third-rate attorney, finds himself defending Guido Sabatini after a seemingly minor legal matter turns deadly.

Some characters feel predictably devious, and it stretches credibility that Sabatini would choose such an inexperienced lawyer for a murder defense. However, Margolin successfully builds tension, turning an insignificant case into a compelling thriller.

The novel's strength lies in Margolin's intimate knowledge of law and Portland's landscape. While the protagonist's naivety and gullibility can be frustrating, the quick pacing and escalating tension keep readers engaged. Webb's transformation from an unremarkable lawyer to an unexpected hero provides an intriguing narrative arc.

I recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers who enjoy underdog narratives and detailed procedural stories, particularly those familiar with Portland's setting. The book offers an entertaining exploration of how a seemingly minor case can dramatically alter one's life.

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

Book Review: HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers

Title: HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers

Author: Elisa Farri and Gabriele Rosani

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Date: February 11, 2025

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a professional who has been working with Generative AI since March, I found the HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers to be an exceptional roadmap for managers navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape. it's the best book I've read on Generative AI, demonstrating how it can reshape business practices and leadership approaches.

The book's most compelling strength lies in its practical approach to generative AI. Unlike other texts in the field, this guide offers concrete, immediately applicable strategies for using AI as both a copilot and a co-thinker. I've used AI as co-pilot but not so much as co-thinker.

Strategically structured into four primary sections—Managing Yourself, Managing Teams, Managing Business, and Managing Change—each section offers detailed explorations of AI as a copilot and co-thinker, with specific, actionable examples that managers can immediately implement. It doesn't just present the technology as a tool, but as a collaborative partner that can enhance productivity, drive innovation, and support strategic decision-making. 

The core message is compelling: managers who develop generative AI capabilities will leap ahead of those who don't. I'm particularly excited to implement strategies from the "Managing Yourself" and "Managing Teams" sections in my own professional context.

The HBR Guide to Generative AI for Managers is more than a book; it's a strategic compass for leaders looking to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence. Whether you're a tech-savvy manager or someone just beginning to explore AI's potential, this book offers invaluable insights that can fundamentally reshape your approach to work. This isn't just recommended reading—it's essential.

A big thank you to Harvard Business Review Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.