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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Love Kate Morton but not this book. More of a 2 1/2 star rating.
There were too many characters with too little story for each of them that I never got attached to anyone. Even Birdie felt underdeveloped. Yes she and Edward were crazy in love but why? We never saw that relationship until the end. It would’ve been nice to see how/why they fell in love so you were invested in their story.
The ending felt rushed and unfinished. I think she was going for a “you fill in the rest” ending but I didn’t like it. Did Elodie find the box? I mean, we know what happened but does she? After all it was her curiosity that kicked off the whole thing and to not know if her questions were ever answered was disappointing. And one last thing. Why did Lucy have a concussion? That detail was why Birdie died but what happened?
There were too many characters with too little story for each of them that I never got attached to anyone. Even Birdie felt underdeveloped. Yes she and Edward were crazy in love but why? We never saw that relationship until the end. It would’ve been nice to see how/why they fell in love so you were invested in their story.
The ending felt rushed and unfinished. I think she was going for a “you fill in the rest” ending but I didn’t like it. Did Elodie find the box? I mean, we know what happened but does she? After all it was her curiosity that kicked off the whole thing and to not know if her questions were ever answered was disappointing. And one last thing. Why did Lucy have a concussion? That detail was why Birdie died but what happened?
I liked it well enough. I was slightly unsatisfied by how things came together.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
filigree made from frosting, left out in the rain.
I enjoyed the main story in this book that has several stories centering around a house, Birchwood Manor. The main story was about an unsolved murder mystery from 1928 and the characters, circumstances, descriptions and story itself were compelling and an engrossing read.
However, there were way too many stories and some of them started and then just seemed to be forgotten or were never really fleshed out. This led to too many characters to keep straight and too many time periods / storylines that became convoluted. The other "main" story was present day and while it started strong, it seemed to just get lost.
I had a few issues with techniques that are cliche such as using amnesia from a head wound and an extremely improbably coincidence that didn't seem authentic (a main character's friend's boss just happening upon a couple randomly and taking their picture and it being the main character's mother with her lover)
and SPOILER ALERT , how is it possible that BB died and turned to bone beneath the step and there was not a hideous odor alerting anyone?
Overall though, the beauty of her writing and the rich main storyline (at least to me it was the main storyline) and my adoration of BB, Lili, Birdy (she went by a few names) made this a worthwhile read for me.
However, there were way too many stories and some of them started and then just seemed to be forgotten or were never really fleshed out. This led to too many characters to keep straight and too many time periods / storylines that became convoluted. The other "main" story was present day and while it started strong, it seemed to just get lost.
I had a few issues with techniques that are cliche such as using amnesia from a head wound and an extremely improbably coincidence that didn't seem authentic (a main character's friend's boss just happening upon a couple randomly and taking their picture and it being the main character's mother with her lover)
and SPOILER ALERT , how is it possible that BB died and turned to bone beneath the step and there was not a hideous odor alerting anyone?
Overall though, the beauty of her writing and the rich main storyline (at least to me it was the main storyline) and my adoration of BB, Lili, Birdy (she went by a few names) made this a worthwhile read for me.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really loved this one - very atmospheric, full of mystery and history, with brilliant characters and moving moments throughout.