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jellie23's review against another edition
2.25
didn’t care for the dialogue, felt that it was too contrived. characters were a bit one dimensional but at least it’s a more light hearted read
jennbehindthebooks's review
3.0
Quite honestly, I have mixed feelings about this book...
It is a fun and easy read and contains enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, mysteries! I love all of the unique, misfit characters banding together to help Pignon solve his crimes! That said, I have issues with the language that is used in the dialogs. I felt it a completely unnecessary addition and I would have given this book more stars had it not been for that. Because of this, I chose to DNF it.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
It is a fun and easy read and contains enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, mysteries! I love all of the unique, misfit characters banding together to help Pignon solve his crimes! That said, I have issues with the language that is used in the dialogs. I felt it a completely unnecessary addition and I would have given this book more stars had it not been for that. Because of this, I chose to DNF it.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
sydhoops's review against another edition
1.0
I think the general idea of the book is interesting and had potential, but the writing fell flat. The dialogue was awkward and bizarre at times. There was often unnecessary detail provided and descriptions were often convoluted. Interesting idea, but poor execution.
anne_seebach's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.5
egbert's review against another edition
2.25
This book looked to be a very cute mystery novel. I was excited for an easy, charming read. However the characters and mysteries are fairly flat. This felt more like a fanfic homage to the detectives of classical mystery novels than a story of its own. Still, it was charming in its own way.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives is the first book in a light historical cozy mystery series by Rick Bleiweiss. Released 8th Feb 2022 by Blackstone, it's 300 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a quirky Edwardian shopfront cozy with an ensemble cast of eccentric characters, and none moreso than the titular newly arrived chief inspector Pignon Scorbion. He's a sartorial force-majeur (channeling his hero Monsieur Poirot) with a formidable intellect and backed up by a Greek chorus of barbershop employees, he sets his brain to solving crimes.
Although it's not derivative, stylistically I would place it in the same subgenre with Richard Osman and maybe Edmund Crispin. It's a bit farcical and pompous, but there are some smiles to be found here. I suspect it will engender delight or antipathy and not much in between those two extremes. I found it charmingly silly in places and an engaging diverting light read. I'm looking forward to find out what comes next.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives is the first book in a light historical cozy mystery series by Rick Bleiweiss. Released 8th Feb 2022 by Blackstone, it's 300 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a quirky Edwardian shopfront cozy with an ensemble cast of eccentric characters, and none moreso than the titular newly arrived chief inspector Pignon Scorbion. He's a sartorial force-majeur (channeling his hero Monsieur Poirot) with a formidable intellect and backed up by a Greek chorus of barbershop employees, he sets his brain to solving crimes.
Although it's not derivative, stylistically I would place it in the same subgenre with Richard Osman and maybe Edmund Crispin. It's a bit farcical and pompous, but there are some smiles to be found here. I suspect it will engender delight or antipathy and not much in between those two extremes. I found it charmingly silly in places and an engaging diverting light read. I'm looking forward to find out what comes next.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
scribe391's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Set in 1910 Hanford, Pignon Scorbin is the newly arrived police Chief Inspector.
In a series of inter-connected mysteries, Bleiweiss references Hercule Poirot on page 163.
In a series of inter-connected mysteries, Bleiweiss references Hercule Poirot on page 163.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
A pleasant and entertaining historical mystery, a homage to Sherlock Holmes and Poirot.
I had fun in reading this book and appreciated the characters and the stories.
Pignon is quite funny and I liked him.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I had fun in reading this book and appreciated the characters and the stories.
Pignon is quite funny and I liked him.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine