Very different genre and story, but this gave me Emily’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies vibes. It was enjoyable. I also may relate to the main character’s �Very different genre and story, but this gave me Emily’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies vibes. It was enjoyable. I also may relate to the main character’s “force of nature� ways. (My faculty advisor has called me that a few times, and when I asked my husband if he agreed, he just laughed and said “most definitely�)...more
With this and One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, I can safely determine this sub-genre isn’t for me. It attempts to be humorous (it’s not to me) anWith this and One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, I can safely determine this sub-genre isn’t for me. It attempts to be humorous (it’s not to me) and the unlikely run-ins with the mob just have me rolling my eyes. I need more believability with situations like these, and there just wouldn’t be any way these characters would’ve survived....more
Rating- 3.5 rounded up. Sager finally had a male narrator. This was a slow-building mystery, without too many crazy twists and turns. Just a middle ageRating- 3.5 rounded up. Sager finally had a male narrator. This was a slow-building mystery, without too many crazy twists and turns. Just a middle aged man coming back home and trying to figure out the mystery of his missing best friend. ...more
I’ll give Jewell another chance, but I didn’t enjoy the writing style of this. Too many clues were given too soon in the narrative and I had figured aI’ll give Jewell another chance, but I didn’t enjoy the writing style of this. Too many clues were given too soon in the narrative and I had figured almost all of it out by the 60% mark. (With the twist figured out much earlier)...more
This was a good ya mystery/thriller. Just ran a tad too long in my opinion. I wanted to know the mystery, but it started to drag a bit. I figured out This was a good ya mystery/thriller. Just ran a tad too long in my opinion. I wanted to know the mystery, but it started to drag a bit. I figured out one of the mysteries, but not all that it entailed. This was a clever story. ...more
Rating- 4.75 There’s just something about Donlea’s writing that is just so captivating. I usually speed through his books and I love how they are plottRating- 4.75 There’s just something about Donlea’s writing that is just so captivating. I usually speed through his books and I love how they are plotted. This one is no different. Great story....more
Another on my physical tbr shelf that I believe I’ve owned longer than I’ve been on goodreads. Being in a mood to get through my physical books that IAnother on my physical tbr shelf that I believe I’ve owned longer than I’ve been on goodreads. Being in a mood to get through my physical books that I’ve been meaning to read forever- this made its way finally to the top of my list. This deserves to be on the shelf near the likes of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and Rebecca. I’d say if you liked those novels, you’ll enjoy this one. Better yet I never guessed the ending mystery and was captivated from the story the author was sharing with her biographer. A great novel to read in the dead of winter. ...more
Rating- 4.75 rounded up. This has been on my physical shelf for so long- I determined it was time to find out if the story was for me or not. I was leaRating- 4.75 rounded up. This has been on my physical shelf for so long- I determined it was time to find out if the story was for me or not. I was leaning to the "it would not be for me" camp. And then only approximately 15 pages in I realized I was hooked. It only took me 4 days to complete. I loved this story, mainly for the setting and the scavenger hunt aspect of the plot. My one hang up- and reason this didn't get a true 5 stars from me is the sister relationship in this one. Unfortunately, I felt like as a reader, we should've cared about Tella as much as Scarlett apparently does, but for me that relationship was only just told to us about how much Scarlett supposedly cared for her. The actions and events never really conveyed that to me as the reader. In fact, something happens near the end that just left me, "eh- oh well". I felt like Tella was super selfish and didn't really care about Scarlett enough for me to root for her. Hopefully we can see more of their supposed great relationship in the subsequent books. I think we needed to see more authentic interactions between the two sisters before the events of the main plot took off. Because the way it starts really left me super frustrated at Tella. But overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I still think The Night Circus has done the best atmospheric read of a fantasy circus, but this one still did a very great job....more
I ate this up. Harlan Coben has definitely refined his writing craft since his debut Play Dead. That book was complete garbage, so I'm glad I gave himI ate this up. Harlan Coben has definitely refined his writing craft since his debut Play Dead. That book was complete garbage, so I'm glad I gave him another chance. Netflix helped with that, as I've been on a Coben adaptation binge on the app. I even got into the foreign language adaptations. Unfortunately, when I got to El Inocente (Spain's version of this novel) I was thrown off by the first episode's graphic nature and learned it only got worse as the story progressed. I quickly realized reading this story would be better for me personally. I'm glad I made that decision as I truly enjoyed my reading experience. I even got to spend most of today sitting and reading while my husband was at home helping with the kids....more
This is one of those books that constantly keeps you guessing. Unreliable narrators galore and up until the end had me making theories. My third AliceThis is one of those books that constantly keeps you guessing. Unreliable narrators galore and up until the end had me making theories. My third Alice Feeney book- and I can definitely say she’s one of my go to thriller writers. ...more
While I figured out some of the major plots early on- there were many parts I didn’t see coming and that definitely surprised me. Figuring out some ofWhile I figured out some of the major plots early on- there were many parts I didn’t see coming and that definitely surprised me. Figuring out some of the ending didn’t affect my reading experience and I really enjoyed this one. I recommend if you’re looking for a good mystery thriller. ...more
This was a unique story that explores breaking the fourth wall in a way I haven’t seen before. The problem with this came in where there were too manyThis was a unique story that explores breaking the fourth wall in a way I haven’t seen before. The problem with this came in where there were too many narrators that were writers and Straub uses a technique in letting you see how they write the stories that ends up being a way of more telling the story than showing. If you’ve been following me long- you know this is one of my biggest pet peeves in writing. I don’t need to be told what’s happening. The uniqueness of the story lended me to want to know where it was going, but then the trope of being on the run suddenly gets thrown in, and I quickly lost interest again. I’ll give Straub another chance- but this wasn’t a great start. ...more
A Scandal in Bohemia- 5 stars- aw, the introduction to Irene Adler, my favorite female from the series in which Holmes refers to her as ‘TRating 4.25-
A Scandal in Bohemia- 5 stars- aw, the introduction to Irene Adler, my favorite female from the series in which Holmes refers to her as ‘The Woman�. This shorter format serves the narrative much better than the novels, and I’m not surprised the fame of Sherlock grew under these publications. The Adventure of the Red-headed League- 5 stars- clever little tale A Case of Identity- 5 stars- this one I feel as clever as Sherlock as I was able to figure it out. That was fun. The Boscombe Valley Mystery- 5 stars- these little stories are great! The five orange pips- 3 stars- this one wasn’t as fantastical to me and pretty obvious from the start- though I think it would’ve been novel to readers back in the day. The man with the twisted lip- 4 stars- cool little story, but I’m ready for the reveals to not always be the same type of thing. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle- 4 stars- Christmas story of thievery The Adventure of the Speckled Band- 4 stars- another curious case for Sherlock Holmes. Another one I had figured out soonish. The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb- 3 stars- this one was an average tale for me. The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor- 4 stars- the interesting case of the vanishing bride. The Adventure of Beryl Coronet- 4 stars The Adventure of the Copper Beeches- 5 stars- I enjoyed this tale from a governess in need. ...more
In this second novel- we learn about Sherlock’s cocaine habit, meet Watson’s love interest Mary Marston, and get a really long mystery/crime. I think In this second novel- we learn about Sherlock’s cocaine habit, meet Watson’s love interest Mary Marston, and get a really long mystery/crime. I think I’m glad the next edition is complied of short stories as I feel these tales will be better suited for that medium....more
Please note- I'm reviewing the part of this story that introduces Watson and Sherlock and reveals the murder mystery and its conclusion. With the helpPlease note- I'm reviewing the part of this story that introduces Watson and Sherlock and reveals the murder mystery and its conclusion. With the help of other reviews, I skipped most of part 2, specifically chapters 1-5 and was able to not miss a thing. Thanks other readers. I'm hoping for an improvement on the reveals for how Sherlock figures out cases as this one seems to just breeze through them. I'd also like more involvement from Watson. But luckily I hear that these tales get better. I sure hope so, because this story left much to be desired....more
This was a nice way to start 2024. This story was a nice blend of mystery, magical realism, paranormal and feminine energy. The change refers to the pThis was a nice way to start 2024. This story was a nice blend of mystery, magical realism, paranormal and feminine energy. The change refers to the post-menopausal time and how it has affected three different women. I liked the varying three women’s personalities and approach to their changes as well as their friendships. And all this is happening under the foundation of a body turning up- and more suspected. This had a moment where I thought the story was wrapping itself up, but still had 20% left. I was very curious how the story was going to keep going and enjoyed the continuing story and eventual wrap up....more
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