Didn't love this as much as the first book, even though I loved the premise. There was really no growth in character for Mary Elizabeth between this aDidn't love this as much as the first book, even though I loved the premise. There was really no growth in character for Mary Elizabeth between this and the first novel, and I found a lot of her inner dialogue to be quite repetitive. ...more
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel!
[4.5 stars]
In A Drop of Corruption, we find Din and Ana in Yarrowdale, whThank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel!
[4.5 stars]
In A Drop of Corruption, we find Din and Ana in Yarrowdale, where a seemingly impossible crime has occurred. A man has been disappeared, all traces of him vanished, but his room and windows have been locked from the inside with no sign of entry.
That's all you really need to know: Din and Ana are off to solve an impossible crime, and what an impossible crime it is.
Robert Jackson Bennett does such a fantastic job at blending fantasy and mystery, both in the first novel in this series and in this one. Starting with the infamous locked room mystery set up, Jackson Bennett expands out, revealing more of this world than we've previously been introduced to. This is a novel that is rife with politics and mythmaking (particularly of the regal variety), and it is so well done. If I had any critiques, it would be that it's a bit heavy handed, but that did not take away from the story for me.
As with the first novel, I loved Din and Ana here, though I do wish we had learned just a bit more about their characters. I'm hoping as we delve into future books, we get to see more of their personalities outside of their roles in the Iudex.
There's a great secondary cast of characters here. I especially enjoyed Malo, a warden with augmented senses of smell, hearing, etc, who helps them as they unravel what's been happening in Yarrowdale.
As with the first novel, there's a great array of quite nasty body horror as we learn more about the consequences of coming into contact with any part of a leviathan. There's a scene in this that's particularly brutal, but so well done.
An incredibly mid novel. It's really nothing I haven't read before. The writing is fine, but the storytelling is so incredibly slow. I also[2.5 stars]
An incredibly mid novel. It's really nothing I haven't read before. The writing is fine, but the storytelling is so incredibly slow. I also felt the characterization fell flat -- I don't feel like I really know any of the characters by the end of the novel (beyond like three or four personality traits). Likewise, I really didn't think it was that atmospheric? It was fine, but I think the novel could have built tension and suspense more effectively; the pace really undercut both.
Easy enough to listen to, but a book I'm going to definitely forget.
I also thought the ending was a bit too Lifetime. ...more
I really wanted to be able to give this a three, but I just had so many issues with it. The pacing is so all over the place, and I have trouble uEek.
I really wanted to be able to give this a three, but I just had so many issues with it. The pacing is so all over the place, and I have trouble understanding why a large portion of the book is Veronica and Stoker at a traveling circus. It felt so weird, and I didn't understand their decision or why it was happening. The end is also ridiculous almost to the extent that it took me out of the plot because what do you mean that's what's happening?
As other reviewers have noted, Veronica is the very much a "not like other girls" main character and being stuck in her head as she reflects on just how quirky and different she is was exhausting. I wanted her to be more akin to Phryne Fisher from and instead it was really giving pick me.
I did like Stoker but, just like with the ending, his backstory was way too much.
I also had an issue with some of the writing; it tends to be more tell than show, where things are just revealed that we as the reader don't see the main character work through on the page. She just announces that she has come to some revelation, which is just ineffective writing when it comes to building and crafting a mystery.
It's awfully anti-Irish as well, which like yeah you can argue it's set in Victorian England but that doesn't mean I want to read it.
There were some parts I laughed at, and Veronica and Stoker's relationship is depicted in a way that I enjoyed, but that was all the enjoyment I really got and it wasn't enough for this book to not feel like a slog. I want to continue on in the hopes it gets better but...I fear it may not. ...more
Yeah so this is pretty great. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the entire story being told in mixed media format, but it's done really well here. Yeah so this is pretty great. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the entire story being told in mixed media format, but it's done really well here. It's intriguing and keeps the plot moving in such an interesting way. Amanda Bailey is a really well rounded protagonist even though we're never seeing the story from her POV. She's quite funny and doggedly determined in a way that definitely made me side eye her decisions at times, but I came to really understand her, which I hadn't been expecting.
This is a slower burn of a mystery, but once it gets going it really gets going. It's got a blend of humor and eeriness that works so well. I'm definitely interested in picking up more by Hallett. I'd love to see how she writes a more traditionally told mystery. ...more
I really liked the first 50% of this -- the plot, cozy atmosphere, and banter was so well done. Once the other POV comes in, I struggled a bit, and thI really liked the first 50% of this -- the plot, cozy atmosphere, and banter was so well done. Once the other POV comes in, I struggled a bit, and then I had some issues with the pacing of the romantic element. I'm a yearner, and everything just moved a bit too fast for me, personally. I needed more time to really see and understand why the two characters liked one another -- (view spoiler)[ especially Maggie, who we're told hates Ethan but then is just like oh well! like after two days. (hide spoiler)]
I also thought the book could have played up the Christmas vibes a bit more.
A fun listen, especially at this time of year, so I would still recommend it! I just wish the second half of the novel worked as much for me as the first half. ...more
I liked this collection, but I didn't think a majority of the stories were very wintery.
Individual story ratings: * "Three Blind Mice" -- 4/5 * "The CI liked this collection, but I didn't think a majority of the stories were very wintery.
Individual story ratings: * "Three Blind Mice" -- 4/5 * "The Chocolate Box" -- 3.5/5 * "A Christmas Tragedy" -- 3/5 * "The Coming of Mr Quin" -- 4/5 * "The Clergyman's Daughter/ The Red House" -- 2/5 * "The Plymouth Express"-- 4/5 * "Problem at Pollensa Bay" -- 2/5 * "Sanctuary" -- 3/5 * "The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge" -- 2/5 * "The World's End" -- 3/5 * "The Manhood of Edward Robinson" -- 2/5 * "The Christmas Adventure" --3/5...more
A fun holiday mystery novella -- in Australia! I haven't read the others in the series and followed this just fine. There were certainly sp[3.5 stars]
A fun holiday mystery novella -- in Australia! I haven't read the others in the series and followed this just fine. There were certainly spoilers for the first two in terms of relationships and some plot points, but nothing too bad (I think), and I also don't care.
I really like the meta elements to this, but I do wonder if it would be a bit too much in a longer novel. That said, I like the main character and the way the story's beats played out. It was a bit unevenly paced in the middle, but overall, enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend the audiobook. I'm excited to go back and read the first two! ...more
A fun wintery mystery! It starts so strongly with a snowstorm and seance -- very much my vibe. A fun listen while on a cold winter's walk -- the audioA fun wintery mystery! It starts so strongly with a snowstorm and seance -- very much my vibe. A fun listen while on a cold winter's walk -- the audiobook is fun!...more
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel! Death at Morning House releases August 6, 2024.
Death at Morning House follows MaThank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel! Death at Morning House releases August 6, 2024.
Death at Morning House follows Marlowe Wexler, a young teen who finds herself working at a new summer job in the aftermath of a house fire. This job, located on an island outside of where she lives, is in the acclaimed Morning House, a summer home mansion built in the 1920s, and a site of tragedy for the owners. Once there, Marlowe finds that things aren't quite what they seem. Mysteries ensue.
This is a totally fine book for its demographic. I think it's a good young adult mystery for younger readers. It does read very young. Marlowe's voice was a little exhausting for me, at times, because she just goes on diatribes that take the reader out of what's happening for no reason. It read like it wanted to come off as quirky, but they really slowed down the narrative.
I also had a really hard time understanding character motivations for basically every character. The work done to try and authenticate Marlowe's voice took away from time that was needed to build characterization -- and that's including Marlowe. I did not get the sense that Marlowe was an astute observer for most of the book, and then there is some backstory that tries to explain how and why she's able to deduce things at the end of the book. I didn't really buy it. (view spoiler)[I also didn't really buy the motivation that went into the historical POV following the Ralston family. While I thought that ending was well done, I also don't think it was necessarily earned in terms of the actual structure of the story and the information we had been given as readers. (hide spoiler)]
Ultimately, this isn't a book that's for me, as I am far older than the target demographic. I do think I probably would have enjoyed it more as a younger reader, and I would recommend it to younger readers who like mysteries. ...more
Woman goes on global roadtrip to find out how to squirt.
This was, honestly, just okay. I liked it enough to keep reading and was interested to see whWoman goes on global roadtrip to find out how to squirt.
This was, honestly, just okay. I liked it enough to keep reading and was interested to see where the story would go, but much of the story is the same action. We go to a city, we eat delicious food, we meet someone, we have sex, rinse and repeat for 300 pages. It did feel tedious, and I didn't find the structure of the novel really built any tension or atmosphere.
While I liked the ending, I do feel like the book didn't quite give enough showing of character traits/motivations to get us to that ending. That is, most likely, on purpose. That doesn't mean it was a solid choice in terms of characterization.
The writing here is, again, just okay, though I would check out another novel by Gran. ...more
This is a case of really enjoyed the first half of the novel, did not love where the story went in the second half of the novel. In the first half, GeThis is a case of really enjoyed the first half of the novel, did not love where the story went in the second half of the novel. In the first half, Geni does a great job establishing the environment (this remote island), the characters, all while building a decent amount of tension. We see the scientists and our main character, Miranda, a nature photographer, go about their day to day documenting the animals around the island all while there's this undercurrent of building dread.
Then Geni makes narrative decisions that were fine within the realm of the novel, but I did not like personally. (view spoiler)[ The idea that Miranda becomes this new person when she finds out that she's pregnant (as a result of being raped) is...a choice. Didn't love it. Didn't love how people knew or at least knew something happened between Miranda and the other character and didn't say anything...Very gross. (hide spoiler)]
I did like the epilogue, but it feels tonally different from the second half of the novel. There's a chilling-ness to it that was really well done for the story told in the first half, and really dissonant with the second half.
A murder mystery set in LA's Chinatown in the 1930s.=, Kill Her Twice follows two sisters, May and Gemma, who investigate the murder of one of their oA murder mystery set in LA's Chinatown in the 1930s.=, Kill Her Twice follows two sisters, May and Gemma, who investigate the murder of one of their old friends and new Hollywood starlet, Lulu Wong. I really enjoyed the background and learning more about Chinatown during this time period. Both of the sisters are good protagonists, but I was particularly charmed by the spirited Gemma. I would love to see more of her character.
The novel is, perhaps, a little bloated and could have trimmed 20 or so pages, but, overall, I thought it was well done. It kept me intrigued and wondering what happened. I read via audio, and would recommend! Both of the narrators did a great job.
Also, whomever designed the cover? 5/5 -- fantastic cover. ...more
I found this to be a thoroughly engrossing novel. Grand in scope, The God of the Woods follows two tragedies that befall one family, the Va[4.5 stars]
I found this to be a thoroughly engrossing novel. Grand in scope, The God of the Woods follows two tragedies that befall one family, the Van Laars, and the people and town that surround them.
I found all of the points of view to be compelling and needed, and though Moore has a penchant for leaving chapters on cliffhangers, I liked the cadence of the novel and the plot beats it hit along with when it hit them. This novel feels like a slow unraveling as you, the reader, attempt to piece together what has happened along with the investigators.
Moore's writing is great, here, and so evocative of the environment where the novel takes place: the woods and its surroundings in the Adirondacks.
(view spoiler)[I can see some readers being potentially disappointed at certain plot points, but I found this novel to just be so goddamn sad. It's sad how Alice is treated by all of the members of her family, it's sad how Barbara is treated, living in the shadow of her brother's disappearance, it's infuriating how everyday people's lives are affected, for the worse, by people more financially well off and privileged than them. (hide spoiler)] This is a novel really grounded in its realism and its characters.
Highly, highly recommend! I read the hardback along with the audiobook, which was a great experience. The audiobook is well done. ...more
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel! Where Sleeping Girls Lie comes out March 19, 2024.
Where Sleep[3.5 stars]
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel! Where Sleeping Girls Lie comes out March 19, 2024.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie follows Sade Hussein, who is starting her third year of high school at a new boarding school following the death of her father. When her roommate ends up disappearing her first day at the school, Sade finds herself one of the only students trying to find out what happened.
I highly, highly recommend not knowing any more or reading the official synopsis because it spoils something that does not happen until 70% of the way through the novel.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie is an entertaining YA mystery. I had issues with the writing and pacing--this book easily could have cut 50 pages and would have been better off for it--but the core story kept me entertained enough to keep reading. The novel suffers from having the Too Much Gene--there is so much that just falls off and comes in at irregular times that don't make sense. (view spoiler)[Like what was really the point of Sade's sleepwalking? Or why did we mention that the food at the school wasn't halal twice and then never mentioned it again? (hide spoiler)]
The last fifty pages are, while a bit too quickly paced, the best part of the novel. The novel hits the beats it needs to and has a great ending to its overall message. I wish that energy had been more evenly paced the previous 370 pages.
The characters are interesting enough. I thought it was clear that the author was withholding information from Sade's POV which made some of her actions and motivations frustrating because things would seem wildly out of character out of nowhere. I loved Baz and their relationship. That was probably my favorite aspect of the novel.
If you like YA mysteries, I would recommend this. ...more
This was so fun! A great blend of fantasy and mystery. It took me a minute to get into the world and acclimate, but once I was in I was in. The relatiThis was so fun! A great blend of fantasy and mystery. It took me a minute to get into the world and acclimate, but once I was in I was in. The relationship between Din and Ana is great -- I love their banter and I cannot wait to see how they evolve later into the series. The mystery itself is a lot of fun and kept me guessing, and even though I managed to figure out quite a lot of what was going on, I was so invested. I'd love to learn more about Ana, and I can't wait to see what other troubles Din finds himself in the middle of at the behest of his superior.
This was fun, definitely the best C.J. Tudor book I've read in terms of writing and plotting. Like her other books, it is very much a slow novel that'This was fun, definitely the best C.J. Tudor book I've read in terms of writing and plotting. Like her other books, it is very much a slow novel that's really interested in interrogating many different people living in this small town. We get POVs that aren't necessarily driving the plot forward but do help the reader get a sense of who lives in this town, how they feel towards the Colony, etc. I liked Barbara as our MC, following a middle aged woman was a great change of pace and her banter with different folks in the town was well done. I enjoyed the paranormal aspects to this but would have loved a little bit more in terms of characterization with the vampires and their lore. I also think that it's great the author made sure to include Alaskan Native people and culture into this book, but I would have loved more. Where are the Alaskan Natives in this town, with the exception to Rita? How do they feel about the Colony in a more modern setting? There are really interesting parallels that the author is drawing between the vampires' history and Alaskan Natives history, especially as it pertains to colonization and white people settling in the area. There was lost potential, here, to explore that thread that Tudor very lightly interspersed throughout the novel. ...more
I enjoyed the historical context of this mystery and learned quite a bit about the relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII. I also liked that thiI enjoyed the historical context of this mystery and learned quite a bit about the relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII. I also liked that this focused on family (the central mystery being the death of a sister) and that it mostly took place in Chicago (a city I love). It's clear this is a passion project of the author and that a lot of research went into this.
As a mystery, it's just fine. The pacing was pretty slow--the main character spends much of the novel walking different places and talking to different people and that's about it. There's not a whole lot of atmosphere and tension, because the novel is much more tell than show. I never really felt like I knew who the main character was as an individual--she didn't quite feel fully realized.
I also just couldn't get on with the writing. There were some turns of phrase that just took me out of the story, and as a whole, the writing is just pretty no frills, bare bones, here's what happened and here's what I did next sort of writing.
All in all, mostly glad I read it, but unsure if I will continue on in the series. ...more
At no point while reading this novel did I know where it was going or how it would end. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is a character studAt no point while reading this novel did I know where it was going or how it would end. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is a character study masked as a mystery. I can see the main character, Ms. Duszejko, or Janina, grating some readers' nerves, but I loved her. She's eclectic, loves astrology, her two dogs, and reading William Blake (amongst other English writers). She frequently takes long walks, both in the forests surrounding her home and among the houses of residents who do not stay in the secluded village year round, just to check on them. She has a vendetta against hunters and poachers, and much fo this novel is concerned about our involvement in the natural world and the violence enacted on animals. I found that theme quite interesting, as I wasn't necessarily expecting it to be such a huge part of the novel.
There are a series of dead bodies that pop up throughout this novel, but the action isn't the driving force of the plot. Really, we follow Janina throughout her day to day, with her interactions between the various people of the village. It's a slow book, and at times feels as slow as it is.
I still quite enjoyed it, though. I wasn't expecting the ending, though perhaps I should have. I loved it.
I see why this wouldn't work for some readers, but it worked for me. I'm unsure who I would recommend this to. If you're looking for a long character study to accompany you on winter walks, this is a fun one. ...more
This was a lot of fun! I love The Thin Man movies, so hearing this was a take on that series and Nick and Nora sold me pretty mu[3.5 stars rounded up]
This was a lot of fun! I love The Thin Man movies, so hearing this was a take on that series and Nick and Nora sold me pretty much instantly--plus I love a good closed circle mystery.
I thought the blend of science and mystery worked well here, though sometimes the future language reminded me a bit of Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. I kept waiting for a good zetus lapetus.
I think what will really make or break this book for readers is how well they get along with the main character. I loved the fact that she was disabled and had a service dog for her PTSD. I thought that was handled well. I also liked the relationship between her and her new husband, though do wish we got to see a bit more of them interacting with each other to really believe in their relationship. It didn't really feel like Shal had much of a personality outside of being Tesla's husband and a retired detective. Also, her constant back and forth over her privilege got to me a little bit and did take me out of the story.
My favorite character, though, was her lawyer. Fantine was hilarious.
In all, the book definitely had some repetitive moments that could have just been cut out to make for a more trim story. It felt about 50 pages too long.
Overall, a fun space mystery! I hope this becomes a series, because I would definitely be interested in seeing these characters (mostly Gimlet, tbh) again.
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