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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This was a thoroughly entertaining book. I loved every minute listening to the audiobook narrated by Jason Watkins. The story was always interesting, the plot taking sudden turns, the characters were believable and fleshed out. I laughed out loud many times.
I highly recommend this book. It's a hoot.
I highly recommend this book. It's a hoot.
Three stars, two for the first half of the book and four for the second. I almost abandoned this book but I kept pushing through. A lot of characters and it seemed to take forever for you to get to know and decide how you felt about them. I wasn't crazy about how some of the characters individual stories ended.
This book took a long time to catch on for me. I finally got interested in maybe the last 10%. So it just wasn’t for me. I read it for my book club - I don’t think it is normally something I would pick for myself. So in that sense it was good to read something different.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was 100% up my alley and was really difficult for me to put down. It also saved me during a few long days of international travel, for which I am very thankful. I loved so much of this, and the privilege of living in London allowed me to so much more easily feel immersed in the world of the story.
That said, I was a bit disappointed by the ending - everything felt wrapped up too quickly. But maybe that was in part because I just didn’t want it to end.
I’ve read a few Kate Atkinson books in the past and this has revived my interest in her work, so I’m hoping to pick up more of her novels soon!
That said, I was a bit disappointed by the ending - everything felt wrapped up too quickly. But maybe that was in part because I just didn’t want it to end.
I’ve read a few Kate Atkinson books in the past and this has revived my interest in her work, so I’m hoping to pick up more of her novels soon!
Part historical fiction, part crime and mystery, Atkinson’s book is well written and well worth reading. Set in London in 1926, a postwar fervor is reflected in the night clubs owned by Nellie Coker. Nellie and her three daughters and two sons run the clubs, which often host gangsters and are protected by crooked cops. When a detective, Frobisher, enlists the aid of Gwendelon, a former librarian, to infiltrate the club, a spate of murders ensue. I really enjoyed the time period and the main character Gwen, a confident and strong female character. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As always, Kate Atkinson's characters are wonderfully compelling and I couldn't get enough of any of them. I particularly loved reading about Gwendolyn - a librarian turned detective?! How could anyone resist! But, seriously, I loved this book. It's definitely one to snuggle up with while drinking some cocoa - even when Atkinson is talking about the seedy London underworld, her storytelling is so excellent it leaves me feeling cozy and contented. I was very sad to turn the last page.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes