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bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The mystery was interesting and the characters were great; I just really didn’t care for the pacing or the way the plot unfolded. Basically, in the beginning of the book the main mystery is all lead up to, but when it finally gets to the thick of it all of a sudden we are going back into Maudie’s backstory. That parts, although interesting, takes up half the book. Then it gets back to the main mystery and it’s like whiplash. If the book had been written in chronological order it would have been far more enjoyable.
Historic Mystery, War Trauma, Good Character Development
Historic Mystery, War Trauma, Good Character Development
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
wordsareworlds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I went into this book with high hopes that were completely dashed. We're introduced to Maisie as she starts her own investigative practice, and after she "solves" one case that leads to further questions, we're suddenly transported back in time to get the entire story of her life. Somewhere between half and 3/4 of the book is this flashback, and then we're just as suddenly in the present again!
The "mystery" is completely flat, as is Maisie's characterization. She has no flaws whatsoever, is loved by all, is the smartest person in the room, and has a psychic sense of impending doom when someone is going to get seriously injured or die. Her "investigative" skills are all tell no show, except when she somehow gets detailed information on someone's mental state by imitating their physicality without them noticing, often despite them looking at her when she's doing it.
It's unfortunate because the premise was interesting, and there could have been a lot more done with the aftermath of the first World War, but that potential was squandered here and I won't be subjecting myself to any more of these books.
The "mystery" is completely flat, as is Maisie's characterization. She has no flaws whatsoever, is loved by all, is the smartest person in the room, and has a psychic sense of impending doom when someone is going to get seriously injured or die. Her "investigative" skills are all tell no show, except when she somehow gets detailed information on someone's mental state by imitating their physicality without them noticing, often despite them looking at her when she's doing it.
It's unfortunate because the premise was interesting, and there could have been a lot more done with the aftermath of the first World War, but that potential was squandered here and I won't be subjecting myself to any more of these books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and War
Moderate: Blood and Grief
Minor: Violence, Medical content, and Classism
knit_the_resistance's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm so glad my mom recommended this series. I think I will enjoy listening to them in order. I thought it was an excellent reflection of the impact of WWI on the lives of young people in Great Britain and made a sad context for the mystery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
edhyndman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've been wanting to read this one for a few months and happened to catch it on sale, couldn't be happier I did! A+ cozy mystery, Maisie is such a great character and I'm thrilled at knowing how many books I have ahead of me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think Ms. Dobbs will be my go-to detective. I feel like this book combines the mysteries I loved so much when I was younger and the effects and history of trauma that I'm so interested in today. This feels like a good curling-up-in-front-of-the-fireplace read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and War
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide
Minor: Murder
jeannine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What a start to a series. Not only do we have a fascinating investigation, there’s 100 pages of backstory that introduces Maisie and all of the relent characters. I didn’t expect to cry my eyes out over the personal part of the story. I’m so dehydrated that I need a glass of water!
The fast pace of the book had my flying through it - I finished in less than a day and am eager to gobble up the next installment.
The fast pace of the book had my flying through it - I finished in less than a day and am eager to gobble up the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
supermarioctopus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
opinionsofawolf's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this moderately paced mystery starring a female detective in 1920s UK. It did surprise me when partway through the book it flashed back for quite a lengthy period of time to inform us of Maisie's adolescence and early adulthood, but I do now understand why this information was needed. It impacted the pacing of the mystery, but this is the start of a long series, and I'm glad I got to know Maisie better through it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Violence