Xanthi's Updates en-US Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:20:56 -0700 60 Xanthi's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9284162965 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:20:56 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi is currently reading 'Death of a Dustman']]> /review/show/7471584541 Death of a Dustman by M.C. Beaton Xanthi is currently reading Death of a Dustman by M.C. Beaton
]]> Review7452757525 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 02:20:21 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi added 'A Murderous Plot']]> /review/show/7452757525 A Murderous Plot by Sue Minix Xanthi gave 3 stars to A Murderous Plot (The Bookstore Mystery #6) by Sue Minix
I listened to this on audiobook format.
I like the hints of humour but find the protagonist a bit too flippant throughout. It really comes across in the audiobook. I wonder if it’s as apparent in the print version? Is it the writing or the delivery by the voice actor?
An ok plot. I do like a cozy that’s set in October and references Halloween, so that was a plus for me. ]]> Review7436552797 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:26:45 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi added 'Death of an Addict']]> /review/show/7436552797 Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton Xanthi gave 1 star to Death of an Addict (Hamish Macbeth, #15) by M.C. Beaton
I listened to this on audiobook format.
The author veers away from cozy mystery elements and trundles towards a very anaemic attempt at a thriller - or that’s what it felt like to me with is instalment. It was clumsy, lacked any charm and even Hamish couldn’t save this one. ]]> Rating841475583 Sat, 29 Mar 2025 03:40:17 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi C liked a review]]> /
Xanthi liked Kelsey Hanson's review of Death of an Addict (Hamish Macbeth, #15):
Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton
"Definitely not my favorite Hamish MacBeth novel. This book kinda turned him into both a sexist jerk and a pathetic desperate single guy. I thought Olivia was a nightmare and Hamish is starting to have a revolving door of women in these novels. I also don't think THAT many people would find Hamish weird for not wanting a promotion. That's actually a fairly normal response when people don't want to uproot themselves for a job. Pretty disappointing, but a quick read. "
]]> ReadStatus9234130059 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:06:46 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi is currently reading 'Death of an Addict']]> /review/show/7436552797 Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton Xanthi is currently reading Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton
]]> ReadStatus9234122169 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:04:04 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi started reading 'Your Body in Balance: The New Science of Food, Hormones, and Health']]> /review/show/7208712768 Your Body in Balance by Neal D. Barnard Xanthi started reading Your Body in Balance: The New Science of Food, Hormones, and Health by Neal D. Barnard
]]> Review7350286806 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:54:14 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi added 'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls']]> /review/show/7350286806 Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix Xanthi gave 3 stars to Witchcraft for Wayward Girls (Hardcover) by Grady Hendrix
I listened to this on audiobook format.
A strong streak of feminism mixed with the supernatural - written by a man, no less. Written very well, l might add. It did feel overly long and a bit slow in places. Also, if the supernatural elements were removed, this novel would not really have been diminished - although some of the drama and action would have been affected towards the end. The novel’s strength lay in the social commentary, in regards to girls and women in 1960s USA. Reproductive rights, gender equality, patriarchy - it’s all there and more in this book. ]]> Review7406540612 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0700 <![CDATA[Xanthi added 'The Beckoning Silence']]> /review/show/7406540612 The Beckoning Silence by Joe Simpson Xanthi gave 3 stars to The Beckoning Silence (Paperback) by Joe Simpson
A sombre book with the central theme of death and mountaineering. There is much philosophising and soul searching by the author throughout, but there were humourous passages to lighten the mood here and there. If, like me, you’re not a climber, some of the technical jargon might confuse, but overall it doesn’t detract from the narrative. The author can’t avoid using it for the sake of us lay people, but he at least keeps it succinct.
]]> Review6646906837 Sat, 01 Mar 2025 15:23:16 -0800 <![CDATA[Xanthi added 'Naked City']]> /review/show/6646906837 Naked City by John Silvester Xanthi gave 3 stars to Naked City (Kindle Edition) by John Silvester
I listened to this on audiobook format.
The author’s dry humour was one of the best things about this book.
Because it was a collection of pieces that were previously published, and not one cohesive book, there is repetition, with cases and people being mentioned throughout.
Also, the ending is very abrupt. An epilogue should have been written and included to round things off. ]]> ReadStatus9110782024 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:05:52 -0800 <![CDATA[Xanthi is currently reading 'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls']]> /review/show/7350286806 Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix Xanthi is currently reading Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
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