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justjenn's review against another edition
3.0
My first thought on finishing this book was, “well crap, now I have to read the next one.” This is the second in a series about a supernatural detective agency in England. Perhaps if I’d read the first installment I would have liked it better. Unfortunately, I did not. The characters were flat, the handling of the gender-nonconforming character was trite, and the plot lacked pacing. Only the set-up for the next book held any excitement for me,
annarella's review
5.0
Really funny and enjoyable. This book is well written, funny, enganging and with very interesting and likeable characters.
I look forward to reading other instalments in this series and I will go and look for other books by this writer.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing
I look forward to reading other instalments in this series and I will go and look for other books by this writer.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing
buttercupsobsession's review
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy Banks is quickly becoming one of my favorite paranormal fiction writers. I recently read book 1, but you could have easily picked up with book 2 as a standalone. The book picks up shortly after book 1 leaves off, but there are only a few references made back to the information of book 1 and it is fairly well summarized so you aren't left feeling completely confused or like you are missing something. I highly recommend book 1 because I loved it, and I loved book 2.
The team of Dr. Ribero's Agency of the Supernatural again finds themselves on a mission to extinguish a supernatural being back to the spirit world, but there are plenty of complications. They find themselves working with a rival agency, and the interactions with the owners, Dr. Ribero and Larry Higgins are hilarious. Kester, our main character, is finally settling into his role at the agency, though he still can't control his own supernatural gift. He is starting to find his own way as an adult by living on his own and dating. His roommates provide comic relief throughout the book, as do his co-workers Mike and Serena. Kester is once again left to dig through the clues behind what is really going on in the small seaside town of Lyme Regis where several people have ended up dead. Strange things are afoot and with Kester's ability to research and uncover information. I really loved the history and mythology in this one just like the last one. I felt like I was there with the team as they were walking around, and I want to be a member of their ghost-busting team.
Totally unrelated to the plot but something I really loved about this book was the interaction of the team with the transgender character Lara/Luke. We are introduced to Lara, from Team Higgins, as a female, but Kester sees her out in town and notices that she wears male looking clothing. Eventually Serena calls Lara out for looking manly, and Lara tells the team she has always identified as male. The Ribero Team is so welcoming to this information and immediately asks how they should be addressed going forward to make them feel more comforatable. This is when Lara becomes Luke, and she becomes him. Naturally the team slips up from time to time, but they make every attempt to make Luke comfortable. Luke also is very open to questions to make the team feel comfortable. I like they way this was handled and there were so many sweet moments between the team and Luke, especially Pamela, Ms. Wellbeloved. I will say that I feel like Kester could have spoke out to his father about his narrow minded thinking towards transgender people, that is out of character for Kester, and the inner monologue addressing it was more in alignment with his personality.
Lucy Banks is quickly becoming one of my favorite paranormal fiction writers. I recently read book 1, but you could have easily picked up with book 2 as a standalone. The book picks up shortly after book 1 leaves off, but there are only a few references made back to the information of book 1 and it is fairly well summarized so you aren't left feeling completely confused or like you are missing something. I highly recommend book 1 because I loved it, and I loved book 2.
The team of Dr. Ribero's Agency of the Supernatural again finds themselves on a mission to extinguish a supernatural being back to the spirit world, but there are plenty of complications. They find themselves working with a rival agency, and the interactions with the owners, Dr. Ribero and Larry Higgins are hilarious. Kester, our main character, is finally settling into his role at the agency, though he still can't control his own supernatural gift. He is starting to find his own way as an adult by living on his own and dating. His roommates provide comic relief throughout the book, as do his co-workers Mike and Serena. Kester is once again left to dig through the clues behind what is really going on in the small seaside town of Lyme Regis where several people have ended up dead. Strange things are afoot and with Kester's ability to research and uncover information. I really loved the history and mythology in this one just like the last one. I felt like I was there with the team as they were walking around, and I want to be a member of their ghost-busting team.
Totally unrelated to the plot but something I really loved about this book was the interaction of the team with the transgender character Lara/Luke. We are introduced to Lara, from Team Higgins, as a female, but Kester sees her out in town and notices that she wears male looking clothing. Eventually Serena calls Lara out for looking manly, and Lara tells the team she has always identified as male. The Ribero Team is so welcoming to this information and immediately asks how they should be addressed going forward to make them feel more comforatable. This is when Lara becomes Luke, and she becomes him. Naturally the team slips up from time to time, but they make every attempt to make Luke comfortable. Luke also is very open to questions to make the team feel comfortable. I like they way this was handled and there were so many sweet moments between the team and Luke, especially Pamela, Ms. Wellbeloved. I will say that I feel like Kester could have spoke out to his father about his narrow minded thinking towards transgender people, that is out of character for Kester, and the inner monologue addressing it was more in alignment with his personality.
anyakinsl's review
4.0
An absolutely enjoyable romp through the English and Scottish countryside with dr Ribero and kester! This book is wonderful- lots of action and reminiscent of ghostbusters. Lots of humor and fun and the story kept me going until the very end (and beyond?) Very well written and amusing. Can’t wait to read more from Ms. Banks!
may63536's review
2.0
A copy of this book was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
this review will most likely contain some ranting, but what can one do about it?
The case of the Deadly Doppelganger is the second book in a series of supernatural mystery books. if you, like me, have not read the first book, don’t worry, this is the type of series that does not need to be read in order, the book stands alone pretty well. all relevant information given in the first book are provided during the narrative.
i started reading the book because i loved the premise. i enjoy reading this sort of urban fantasy/supernatural thriller (like the Peter Grant series or the Matthew Swift series) so i was pretty excited to read this one. the result was me being completely disappointed.
for once, i thought the mystery was kind of simple because the twists are very predictable. everything was resolved far too simply and quickly for how much they said the spirit was evil and powerful. also, the characters are complete stereotypes: you have the bickering ‘couple”, the nerdy guy, the motherly but competent woman, the other woman on the team, the foreigner (trade mark), and so on. i couldn’t relate to any of them or even like them.
however, this book is pretty easy and quick to read so if you’re looking for a supernatural book to unwind after a long day, this book is for you. also, the way the supernatural and the human world connect was nice to read.
and now, for some ranting:
- i truly disliked the main characters relationship with a girl in this book. they have no chemistry whatsoever, the character showed more chemistry with bacon than he did with his supposed girlfriend. besides, he was always objectifying her saying how she “was pretty despite the nerdy glasses” and how he needed to treat her right because she was the only girl who has ever shown interest in him. like, i’m sorry to say, but this is not the best reason to start a relationship, my man.
- the two other characters who are always bickering like “an old married couple”. they’re always insulting each other and calling each other names and simply being hostile to each other. but i am supposed to think they only do that because they really like each other but are afraid to admit it. no, this is not cute or romantic. it was not cute with han solo and princess leia back in the seventies (and we know how well that relationship turned out) and it is not cute or romantic now. please, let’s stop this idea that insulting someone is a way to show our true feelings. it is not, it is just bullying.
- now, my main complaint is related to Dr. Ribero.
He is the typical Foreigner of books. Almost all of his sentences end in a question, with ‘no’, ‘yes’, ‘eh’, or ‘okay’. i could not help but read his line with one of those stereotypical (and fake) Spanish accents. he did not know any english curses because every time he cursed was in Spanish (something the text made sure to remind us every single time). the only way he ever showed confusion about english was by saying “how do you say” and immediately saying the word in english (i don’t know you, but i often say the word i’d like to know after i make such question –in my language of course- or try to explain what i want to know). there are so many ways to show a character is bilingual without having to resort to stereotypes or misinformation. it would also be very helpful to talk to bilingual or multilingual people and ask them for tips, just saying.
but i think what really bothered me the most is that he is depicted as the stereotypical spanish speaker, the latin lover type of guy. every woman wanted him because he was very charming. even though he is old now he still manages to charm women and he was even more charming when he was young. he has the perfect argentinian charming smile that ladies love. and he is quick to anger and look like “a rabid dog” or a “charging bull”. he was also incredibly misogynistic because that’s how south american men are. please, can we stop with this stereotype? it is wrong and hurtful. create your south american characters as you would any other without having to resort to stereotypes, please.
besides, every thing he did was south american. he had a south american smile and a south american glare. i really would like to know what those look like. i tried glaring at the mirror to see if it looked like a south american glare but it only looked like a normal glare. maybe i am missing something and that means i am not south american enough, who knows.
anyway, i am sorry for ranting but i felt like i had to.
this review will most likely contain some ranting, but what can one do about it?
The case of the Deadly Doppelganger is the second book in a series of supernatural mystery books. if you, like me, have not read the first book, don’t worry, this is the type of series that does not need to be read in order, the book stands alone pretty well. all relevant information given in the first book are provided during the narrative.
i started reading the book because i loved the premise. i enjoy reading this sort of urban fantasy/supernatural thriller (like the Peter Grant series or the Matthew Swift series) so i was pretty excited to read this one. the result was me being completely disappointed.
for once, i thought the mystery was kind of simple because the twists are very predictable. everything was resolved far too simply and quickly for how much they said the spirit was evil and powerful. also, the characters are complete stereotypes: you have the bickering ‘couple”, the nerdy guy, the motherly but competent woman, the other woman on the team, the foreigner (trade mark), and so on. i couldn’t relate to any of them or even like them.
however, this book is pretty easy and quick to read so if you’re looking for a supernatural book to unwind after a long day, this book is for you. also, the way the supernatural and the human world connect was nice to read.
and now, for some ranting:
- i truly disliked the main characters relationship with a girl in this book. they have no chemistry whatsoever, the character showed more chemistry with bacon than he did with his supposed girlfriend. besides, he was always objectifying her saying how she “was pretty despite the nerdy glasses” and how he needed to treat her right because she was the only girl who has ever shown interest in him. like, i’m sorry to say, but this is not the best reason to start a relationship, my man.
- the two other characters who are always bickering like “an old married couple”. they’re always insulting each other and calling each other names and simply being hostile to each other. but i am supposed to think they only do that because they really like each other but are afraid to admit it. no, this is not cute or romantic. it was not cute with han solo and princess leia back in the seventies (and we know how well that relationship turned out) and it is not cute or romantic now. please, let’s stop this idea that insulting someone is a way to show our true feelings. it is not, it is just bullying.
- now, my main complaint is related to Dr. Ribero.
He is the typical Foreigner of books. Almost all of his sentences end in a question, with ‘no’, ‘yes’, ‘eh’, or ‘okay’. i could not help but read his line with one of those stereotypical (and fake) Spanish accents. he did not know any english curses because every time he cursed was in Spanish (something the text made sure to remind us every single time). the only way he ever showed confusion about english was by saying “how do you say” and immediately saying the word in english (i don’t know you, but i often say the word i’d like to know after i make such question –in my language of course- or try to explain what i want to know). there are so many ways to show a character is bilingual without having to resort to stereotypes or misinformation. it would also be very helpful to talk to bilingual or multilingual people and ask them for tips, just saying.
but i think what really bothered me the most is that he is depicted as the stereotypical spanish speaker, the latin lover type of guy. every woman wanted him because he was very charming. even though he is old now he still manages to charm women and he was even more charming when he was young. he has the perfect argentinian charming smile that ladies love. and he is quick to anger and look like “a rabid dog” or a “charging bull”. he was also incredibly misogynistic because that’s how south american men are. please, can we stop with this stereotype? it is wrong and hurtful. create your south american characters as you would any other without having to resort to stereotypes, please.
besides, every thing he did was south american. he had a south american smile and a south american glare. i really would like to know what those look like. i tried glaring at the mirror to see if it looked like a south american glare but it only looked like a normal glare. maybe i am missing something and that means i am not south american enough, who knows.
anyway, i am sorry for ranting but i felt like i had to.
ellanarose's review
5.0
Charmingly British, and just wonderful. Brilliantly written and has representation too. I need the next book immediately.
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