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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
The format is similar to the first book, which I recently read, so I ended up liking this one even better.
Sometimes things can be a little too convenient, particularly around the end of the book. Despite breaking up the modern day mystery in two with the Pond novel in the middle, I did not find myself loosing track of the threads like I did in the first.
The only reason I gave this any stars is that the mystery itself (or, I guess both mysteries) is good, and I thought the way the two books are nestled together was pretty ingenious. Also I don't think it will let you give zero starts. However, the gay panic throughout this book is incredibly off putting. All the gay characters in this book are either over the top caricatures, or predators. All characters should be allowed to be complex, complicated, and flawed. But that is not the case here. In a book that is full of racists, adulterers, thieves, and murderers, somehow the gay characters are the worst ones. Grow up, Anthony Horowitz
This is one of the smartest and most entertaining whodunnits I’ve ever read. It’s also two mysteries in one. Susan is visited in the hotel she runs in Greece by the parents of Cecily. The latter has disappeared after having read a detective story that Susan edited and discovering a clue to a murder that happened in her parents’ hotel eight years earlier. Susan returns to England to look for clues both in real life and the detective story.
It’s smart and funny and very entertaining. Highly recommended, I hope the author writes more in the series!
It’s smart and funny and very entertaining. Highly recommended, I hope the author writes more in the series!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
After reading the Magpie Murders for Book Club a while back, I decided to pick this one up even though it was quite a bit thicker. I enjoyed the mystery and the perspective of the main character as she slowly uncovered the story. I found the story within the story fun. Despite the length, there is no part I would have edited out or skipped. I think if I was more of a Shakespearean aficionado I may have perhaps caught more of the symbolism and clues. Thank goodness for the reveal at the end. Moonflower Murders has a bit of a different style than Magpie Murders, with many more complicated twists, and is well worth the read!
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
I liked the first one in this series fine. But many of the things that made the first one work are reasons the second one was inferior.
I liked Susan, and I liked her "not a detective but still compelled by the plot to investigate" style- but this was ridiculous. Because she edited the book, please come and investigate this disappearance? No.
I like portrayals of non idealized adult relationships, but also, I didn't like take on unhappiness and boredom being directed at your partner (Could be true, still not fun). Also, the relationship saved by a literal lifesaving tackle WHAT?
I liked the first story's book-in-book technique, going back and forth between Susan and the novel, but this story's take of PLOT-BOOK-PLOT didn't work as well- too contrived.
A lot of lampshading for convenience, ie Susan calling all the suspects together.
Susan Plotwise: Fine. I called two of the four murders before the reveal. Solid ending.
Atticus Plotwise: it read like an old novel, in a bad way. Didn't like the big murder, did like the heist story.
Audiobook reader: excellent.
I liked Susan, and I liked her "not a detective but still compelled by the plot to investigate" style- but this was ridiculous. Because she edited the book, please come and investigate this disappearance? No.
I like portrayals of non idealized adult relationships, but also, I didn't like take on unhappiness and boredom being directed at your partner (Could be true, still not fun). Also, the relationship saved by a literal lifesaving tackle WHAT?
I liked the first story's book-in-book technique, going back and forth between Susan and the novel, but this story's take of PLOT-BOOK-PLOT didn't work as well- too contrived.
A lot of lampshading for convenience, ie Susan calling all the suspects together.
Susan Plotwise: Fine. I called two of the four murders before the reveal. Solid ending.
Atticus Plotwise: it read like an old novel, in a bad way. Didn't like the big murder, did like the heist story.
Audiobook reader: excellent.