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dphillips's review against another edition
3.0
2 words; fantastical & tidy. A fantastical read but fortunately not too fantastical. A tidy read but unfortunately too tidy.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Digital audio performed by Justine Eyre
From the book jacket - After disgracing themselves at a high society New Year’s Eve Party in Philadelphia in 1944, Madeline Hyde and her husband, Ellis, are cut off financially by his father, a former army colonel who is already ashamed of his son’s inability to serve in the war. With his best friend, Hank, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed where the Colonel once very publicly failed – by hunting down the famous Loch Ness monster. Maddie reluctantly follows them across the Atlantic, leaving her sheltered world behind.
My reactions
Maddie gives “hysterical women” a bad name. Jimminy Christmas but she’s annoying. Ellis is a manipulative sociopath, a spoiled kid who must have his own way. What a stereotypical villain! Hank is the hapless, and probably clueless, sidekick.
The most interesting characters are a couple of the women who work at the inn where the Hydes are staying. Now these are some strong women! They have very real issues to deal with – losing loved ones in the war, trying to stay fed and healthy. At least Maddie finally gets some gumption and begins to assert herself – but only when Ellis is away chasing the monster without her.
Of course there’s a major love interest in the war veteran innkeeper, Angus. Tall, strong, handsome, virile – everything Ellis is not. But he’s tortured by his past.
Gruen can write better than this. Still, I was mildly entertained and kept listening.
That may have been due to the fine job that Justine Eyre did on the audio. She kept the pace moving and has the skill as a voice artist to give all the characters unique voices. I loved her Scottish brogue! 4**** for her performance.
From the book jacket - After disgracing themselves at a high society New Year’s Eve Party in Philadelphia in 1944, Madeline Hyde and her husband, Ellis, are cut off financially by his father, a former army colonel who is already ashamed of his son’s inability to serve in the war. With his best friend, Hank, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed where the Colonel once very publicly failed – by hunting down the famous Loch Ness monster. Maddie reluctantly follows them across the Atlantic, leaving her sheltered world behind.
My reactions
Maddie gives “hysterical women” a bad name. Jimminy Christmas but she’s annoying. Ellis is a manipulative sociopath, a spoiled kid who must have his own way. What a stereotypical villain! Hank is the hapless, and probably clueless, sidekick.
The most interesting characters are a couple of the women who work at the inn where the Hydes are staying. Now these are some strong women! They have very real issues to deal with – losing loved ones in the war, trying to stay fed and healthy. At least Maddie finally gets some gumption and begins to assert herself – but only when Ellis is away chasing the monster without her.
Of course there’s a major love interest in the war veteran innkeeper, Angus. Tall, strong, handsome, virile – everything Ellis is not. But he’s tortured by his past.
Gruen can write better than this. Still, I was mildly entertained and kept listening.
That may have been due to the fine job that Justine Eyre did on the audio. She kept the pace moving and has the skill as a voice artist to give all the characters unique voices. I loved her Scottish brogue! 4**** for her performance.
keishabk's review against another edition
3.0
My rating: 2.5 starts. This is a love story set in WWII. It is a quick read, partly due to the fact that there isn't a lot of depth to the characters, maybe with the exception of the heroine, Maddie. I was disappointed in the ending, things wrapped up a little too quickly and too tidily for my taste. The author kept a few threads dangling for most of the book, so I was surprised at how it ended, and not in a good way.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
1.0
This is less about the Loch Ness monster than I believed it to be, but I was surprised that I really enjoyed it since I normally dislike WWII novels.
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
Probably 3 and 1/2 stars.
I listened to this book on walks and runs and it took me a bit of time which probably made me like the story less. It is definitely better than The Ape House.
I listened to this book on walks and runs and it took me a bit of time which probably made me like the story less. It is definitely better than The Ape House.
suzea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.0
renuked's review against another edition
4.0
The reviews are admittedly poor for this novel, but I was intrigued by the Loch Ness Monster hunt in the middle of WWII. Who would be stupid enough to do that? (I got my answer...) Honestly, 2/3 of the characters were the worst people on the planet, and I completely understand why that makes the majority of this book unlikable, but I felt like it was pretty applicable to current events. The ending was almost too perfect, I wish Gruen had left a few things up to the reader, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and Maddie's character development. Overall, monster hunting in WWII was so helplessly weird that I couldn't help but enjoy it.
dlperin's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
brysonsmommie84's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, Child death, Suicide, and War
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving it 4 stars, but really more of a 3.5. Well told, typical Gruen, with a happy ending. The author brings up many issues, and I could relate to the difficult characters, although it starts out somewhat slow. A definite good read though.
The lamplight flickered off the bottles on the shelves behind the bar, reflected and amplified by the mirror behind them. It looked for all the world like there was an identical, inverted room just beyond, and for a moment I wondered if I was in the wrong one.
I was dizzy with food-lust.
I’d never had beer before-our crowd considered it lowbrow-and I sipped it with apprehension.
The lamplight flickered off the bottles on the shelves behind the bar, reflected and amplified by the mirror behind them. It looked for all the world like there was an identical, inverted room just beyond, and for a moment I wondered if I was in the wrong one.
I was dizzy with food-lust.
I’d never had beer before-our crowd considered it lowbrow-and I sipped it with apprehension.