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natnurdock's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Kidnapping
Minor: Blood and Child abuse
ris_stitches's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
stitches_and_scribbles's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
siraels's review against another edition
3.0
3,75 stars
I probably wouldn't have read it if my friend didn't recommend me this book and didn't lend it to me by herself. It has a very interesting plot and I liked that. I love history and especially art history so Vermeer is a known name for me.
The characters were likable, I liked both Petra and Calder, Miss Hussey too. But I felt like that since it was so short, we didn't get to meet them properly. I still feel like I don't really know them, despite them being very interesting main characters.
Only thing I would say is that I wasn't enjoying it all the time. Some parts were a bit boring to me and it was difficult for me to get through, but on the other hand some parts were fun, like the ending.
I also feel that I haven't understood the book properly. It was supposed to have a "secret meaning" but I haven't found it. And also the weird obsession with twelves felt a bit underexplained, it felt too much unreal to be an accident so I'm confused what did it actually mean?
I probably wouldn't have read it if my friend didn't recommend me this book and didn't lend it to me by herself. It has a very interesting plot and I liked that. I love history and especially art history so Vermeer is a known name for me.
The characters were likable, I liked both Petra and Calder, Miss Hussey too. But I felt like that since it was so short, we didn't get to meet them properly. I still feel like I don't really know them, despite them being very interesting main characters.
Only thing I would say is that I wasn't enjoying it all the time. Some parts were a bit boring to me and it was difficult for me to get through, but on the other hand some parts were fun, like the ending.
I also feel that I haven't understood the book properly. It was supposed to have a "secret meaning" but I haven't found it. And also the weird obsession with twelves felt a bit underexplained, it felt too much unreal to be an accident so I'm confused what did it actually mean?
aubster249's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
3.0
Hrmph. What a letdown. It all begins so promising with lots of insinuations of cool mysteries hidden in the text and art. I had pages of notes comparing ideas from the series of broken frames in each picture to what pentimino letters were referenced in the dialogue. Then the end being such a cop out. The various mysteries ended up feeling artificial. And the ultimate reveal was an instance of they solved the mystery... OR DID THEY? (eye roll). Still, I had a lot of fun leading up to that point, so I'll play nice with the rating.
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
5.0
this book left a profound impact on me when i read it as a child... it felt slightly lacking in plot in this reread, but it was still good.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
This book reminded me why I hate mystery books. The entire time I had to go through and translate codes and search every picture for hidden images.... it just really took the joy of reading out of it for me. I recognize it was a good book; it's just not for me.
story_singer_101's review against another edition
2.0
Rating 2.5 stars
In a lot of ways, Chasing Vermeer reminds me of Midnight at the Piazza by Tiffany Parks. (You can read my review of that book by clicking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435428891 ) A strange series of coincidences work together to help two kids solve a mystery that none of the adults are able to crack. The coincidences are just that, coincidences. The shape of a letter, the presence of a frog, and even the way certain sequences of words sound are all clues that work together to unlock the larger mystery. It's as if the universe itself wants the kids to solve the mystery, and, if the universe wants the kids to solve the mystery, that takes a lot of the suspense out of the plot. Throughout the story, I found myself scratching my head at some of the conclusions that the kids drew, wondering how in the world a frog napkin had anything to do with the location of the missing Vermeer painting. Eventually, I gave up wondering.
Somehow, even with the bizarre and random coincidences that formed the majority the plot, I found myself sucked into the first half of the story. The codes interspersed throughout the book were fun and engaging, and the characters were entertaining. Middle school and elementary-aged readers will likely eat up the story rather than getting frustrated and confused by the illogical coincidence-clues like I did.
In a lot of ways, Chasing Vermeer reminds me of Midnight at the Piazza by Tiffany Parks. (You can read my review of that book by clicking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2435428891 ) A strange series of coincidences work together to help two kids solve a mystery that none of the adults are able to crack. The coincidences are just that, coincidences. The shape of a letter, the presence of a frog, and even the way certain sequences of words sound are all clues that work together to unlock the larger mystery. It's as if the universe itself wants the kids to solve the mystery, and, if the universe wants the kids to solve the mystery, that takes a lot of the suspense out of the plot. Throughout the story, I found myself scratching my head at some of the conclusions that the kids drew, wondering how in the world a frog napkin had anything to do with the location of the missing Vermeer painting. Eventually, I gave up wondering.
Somehow, even with the bizarre and random coincidences that formed the majority the plot, I found myself sucked into the first half of the story. The codes interspersed throughout the book were fun and engaging, and the characters were entertaining. Middle school and elementary-aged readers will likely eat up the story rather than getting frustrated and confused by the illogical coincidence-clues like I did.