Helen Johnson

My daughter bought me this book a couple of years ago and I didn’t read it immediately as I didn’t fancy it, but in November 2023 I took it on holiday with me and loved it. I couldn’t put it down and after finishing it, I immediately ordered the follow on book. I recommended The Henna Artist to my book group for us to read last June. I don’t normally like to read a book for a second time, but had to read again to refresh my memory as this was my choice. I found it just as enjoyable a second time. Normally at our book group opinion differs and it is not unusual for marks to differ from 4 to 9. However, everyone loved this book with all scores being 9 or 10. I found myself really immersed in Lakshmi’s character and felt for her as her fortunes unraveled. Our book group wanted to read further and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is our book for this June. I enjoyed the follow up book, but didn’t find it was enjoyable as the first book.