Set in India pre-WWII and pre-independence, this story of a young woman making her way as a nurse and an Anglo-Indian provides a window into a world tSet in India pre-WWII and pre-independence, this story of a young woman making her way as a nurse and an Anglo-Indian provides a window into a world that many of us might not read about before. The racism Sona experiences (not to mention the sexism) may surprise some readers, and it's particularly well presented. So is the medical side, with not only the primitive methods but the racism from the British doctors towards the Indian doctors (even if they're UK educated).
Where the story loses focus (for me) is when Sona starts her journey to fulfill Mira's wishes of leaving paintings to people she knew, loved and disappointed in Europe. There's a ton of filler with Sona spending time on trains and exploring cities, and far too much info dumping in the Paris section about the artistic scene. Tighter in those sections and more about Sona and her self-discovery would have made for a better book.
here's been quite a boom in gentle mysteries, not quite cozies (which, imvho, have punny titles and quirky villagers) but not procedurals either. Thishere's been quite a boom in gentle mysteries, not quite cozies (which, imvho, have punny titles and quirky villagers) but not procedurals either. This is one of the latest in that genre.
Set in a very upscale gated square, filled with interesting tenants who have something that could make them suspects in the murder of the abuser and then abused -- a husband and wife living in the square. Audrey is a former statistician-turned-housecleaner and Lewis is a semi-failed writer of mysteries, and their landlady, Celeste, determines that they would be the best detectives on the case. I can see this turning into a series, with other tenants in trouble and Celeste directing Audrey and Lewis to be her agents of justice.
As far as mysteries go, this is somewhat gentle and predictable. But for those who love the Thursday Night Murder Club series, this is yet another one to keep track of.
DNF: I just didn't care about Emile, and her first adventure started to feel as though the author just threw things in because they sounded neat withoDNF: I just didn't care about Emile, and her first adventure started to feel as though the author just threw things in because they sounded neat without thinking about coherence.
Why do authors continue to write about characters they clearly don't like? I'm thinking of Stephen Booth's Diane Fry and Rankin's Malcolm Fox. Just leWhy do authors continue to write about characters they clearly don't like? I'm thinking of Stephen Booth's Diane Fry and Rankin's Malcolm Fox. Just let them go. We'll be ok. Feel free to continue the series without them.
In this outing, Rebus is in prison - not in a segregated unit, but a regular one. However, he's supposed to be protected by Daryl Christie so all should be good. Except there's a murder on the hall, a seemingly locked room event that has him trying to work out the how and why. Of course he manages to reach out to Siobhan, who gives him access to Christine and the investigation. Malcolm weasels himself into this, for reasons that become more and more clear. And maybe lead to the end of Malcolm in these books?
Will there be a 26th? Possibly. Rankin certainly leaves that open. But if we saw less of Rebus and stayed with the two women detectives, that'd be fine. ...more
One of the things I love about Backman's books is that while he clearly has a setting in mind for them, they could just as easily be anywhere. There'sOne of the things I love about Backman's books is that while he clearly has a setting in mind for them, they could just as easily be anywhere. There's a universality to them that is wonderful.
How Louisa and the artist meet feels so random that you almost don't pay attention to it, but it's that meeting that sets everything else in motion. She's at once wise-beyond-her-years and young, needing attachment and people while fearing them. Thanks to the artist, she meets Ted, and their relationship is so well described: neither wants the other in their life, but kind of also does, and then not only accepts each other but form a great bond. Learning the history of Ted and his friends and the painting, and its effect on all their lives, drives Louisa nuts (the way Ted meanders through the story) it's a story she--and we--need to know.
I wish I hadn't read it so I could discover this story all over again.
DNF: I loved the idea of the world, but the Omens made no sense and the world outside the cathedral felt like any other medieval world mixed with thisDNF: I loved the idea of the world, but the Omens made no sense and the world outside the cathedral felt like any other medieval world mixed with this Omen stuff that didn't quite make sense. Also, how are the Divines taught to do their work if they're all the same age and an entirely new group comes in as little children?
This was a lot of fun to read: one of those misfit groups that somehow manages to get things done and succeed against all odds. And when I say "misfitThis was a lot of fun to read: one of those misfit groups that somehow manages to get things done and succeed against all odds. And when I say "misfit" I mean really misfit (a vampire, a man cursed to immortality, etc.). And their trek from the Sacred City to Troy to safely ensure that Alex gets to be crowned Queen is going to take all their special talents.
My biggest complaint is that there are several battle scenes and they not only go on too long, they're repetitive. A few snips with the editorial scissors was called for there.
How this will become a series is a question: will the Devils be sent on another mission entirely, or will they be back with Alex in Troy? I can't wait to find out.
DNF: despite the clearly unreliable narrator and her passion for Rosecliff (and the Grays), it all seems kind of muted and as though something was remDNF: despite the clearly unreliable narrator and her passion for Rosecliff (and the Grays), it all seems kind of muted and as though something was removed in the editing process.
I loved the first book and was excited to see if the next lived up to that first effort and, well, it does.
This is a great inventive world: the intertI loved the first book and was excited to see if the next lived up to that first effort and, well, it does.
This is a great inventive world: the intertwining of religion, mythology and detection with a world that is somewhat medieval yet completely different makes the description and the background less annoying and more fresh. Our two main characters, Ana and Din, are still figuring out their relationship as boss and assistant, and the limitations put on them by a strictly ordered society adds to the innovation. As for the mystery, it's definitely not cut-and-dried, the twists are never obviously telegraphed. And then there's the Shroud...
DNF: did not like Mina or Sam, near constant reminders about how hot things are, and the only reason we know it's creepy is because we're told, not shDNF: did not like Mina or Sam, near constant reminders about how hot things are, and the only reason we know it's creepy is because we're told, not shown.
There is a YA book, Shine that covers similar ground but in the world of K-pop groups. This is more adult, with two twentysomethings given the opportuThere is a YA book, Shine that covers similar ground but in the world of K-pop groups. This is more adult, with two twentysomethings given the opportunity to join the Dollhouse -- a remote Catskills compound-cum-studio that trains actors-dancers-singers. It's like getting to be on Nickelodeon or Disney mixed with the old studio system, where the the corporation owns your image and, eventually, your life. There's creepy stuff going on, but our innocent Ramona is convinced that she can figure out a way to succeed, even though she's been surpassed by her BFF Grace (oops! Gracie). Intercut with Ramona's story is a diary written by Ivy, the Dollhouse's biggest star, exposing some of the secrets that the management is trying to hide. Sadly, the pacing is frequently off, particularly the ending.
Calling this a boarding school is just wrong: these are not teen girls, they're college graduates. Ditto calling this "dark academia": it's theatre boot camp, not an actual school (or, more accurately, while there might be teens there we meet none of them).
Definitely not what I expected -- this is more historical fiction with a light sprinkling of magical realism than the other way around. The descriptioDefinitely not what I expected -- this is more historical fiction with a light sprinkling of magical realism than the other way around. The description of the Avallon (and yes, that name is deliberate) is incredible. Does any hotel ever match it? And June's relationship with the owners, staff and even the hotel itself is intriguing at first and then, as the story progresses, something a little frightening.
I enjoyed the changes brought on by the new "guests" and the ways in which they are (or are not) accommodated by the staff and the hotel (seriously! the hotel is it's own character at times). I wanted more of Room 411! My biggest problem was that at times the scenes dragged on a little too long, as if the author just so loved writing about it that editing anything out was a problem. The ending is also a little abrupt, with the last few pages seemingly coming from nowhere.
Jane is done with her 19-year marriage to Dan and is going to tell him during their anniversary dinner at an incredibly expensive, incredibly pretentiJane is done with her 19-year marriage to Dan and is going to tell him during their anniversary dinner at an incredibly expensive, incredibly pretentious restaurant (it honestly felt like a mockery of Noma). Enter a terrorist attack by a group of climate terrorists, a not particularly well-organized group, that seems to be basing their plan on Jane's almost non-seller novel. Coincidence? or predictable plot?
Rounded up from 2.5 stars because there are a few good chuckles, but the predictability was a huge disappointment.
I was trying to describe this series to a friend and came up with a cozy, mixed with Slow Horses and the Folly series. Maybe? Whatever it is, it's gotI was trying to describe this series to a friend and came up with a cozy, mixed with Slow Horses and the Folly series. Maybe? Whatever it is, it's got enough "something" to keep me reading and reaching for the next one.
There's a lot of esoteric trivia dumped into these books - in this case, the "hidden" (or paved over) rivers in London and how London itself has changed over the years. I'll confess I spent far too much time tracing the routes and places that get mentioned. If you're interested, there's a lot about them online. Beyond that, there's a mystery with the answer being somewhat clouded, and the murder not being a suspect you'd consider. ...more
I thought I'd made this comment when I read Bloody January but no. So I'll make it now: Harry McCoy could be a young, Glasgow-based Rebus. If you likeI thought I'd made this comment when I read Bloody January but no. So I'll make it now: Harry McCoy could be a young, Glasgow-based Rebus. If you like that series, you'll like this one: McCoy has a relationship with one of the big crime bosses, isn't afraid to use somewhat unconventional and inappropriate methods, and has a substance abuse problem. If it wasn't made clear that this was set in the 1970s, I'd have guessed even earlier, possibly 40s-50s era Scotland.
Definitely not a cozy mystery, this procedural series is one worth followung....more
I'd wondered whether this could make a good series and I'm still on the fence. Last time, Annie had to solve a murder to be able to inherit millions (I'd wondered whether this could make a good series and I'm still on the fence. Last time, Annie had to solve a murder to be able to inherit millions (millions!!) from a distant relative. This time, she's innocently heading to town and meets the fortune teller that set the events of the previous book in motion... and off we go with another mystery that relies (somewhat) on the numerous files that Frances compiled over the decades. I hope that book 3 expands on this in some way.
As mysteries go, there's a lot--too much, really--that gets revealed via Frances' diary. The relationships between people we met in the last book are further explored, and of course Annie and her policeman friend get closer. I did not love that there were some characters whose personalities/motivations suddenly changed, not in the unreliable character way but in a "oops, I created a character that needs to be/do xxx" way.
Given the political climate and the questions of what (and how) things should be taught in schools, this is a very timely book. A little less on BryanGiven the political climate and the questions of what (and how) things should be taught in schools, this is a very timely book. A little less on Bryan and Darrow and more on the law, and what was happening in other jurisdictions, would have made this a 5 star....more
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