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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i didn't like daisy and was so bored
When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up a secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find a truly exciting case. That is, until Hazel discovers the body of their science mistress, Miss Bell – and when they return five minutes later, the body is gone. Now the girls have to solve a murder and prove a murder happened in the first place, before the killer strikes again. Will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test? – adapted from back of book
Wow. Wooooooow. This is the probably the first true 5 stars I’ve given this year, because you know what? I couldn’t find a flaw with this book.
Okay so that probably strikes you as being full of baloney, but no, really! There was a great case (I’m proud to say I straight away guessed one of the mini mysteries, just call me Sherlock Holmes’ long-lost ancestor), great characters, a great setting… and, most importantly, great writing.
The one thing I didn’t like about this was Daisy’s character, especially near the beginning of the novel, but y’know what? That set her up for character development! Something I love in books.
Okay, so let’s get on to the plot – I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t guess the murderer. It was hard to, and I think that one of the main reasons I didn’t guess her is because of Stevens’ great writing – you just didn’t think of this character, and I’m trying so hard not to give it away so I’m going to block the next bit because spoilers. Basically, I did not think it was Miss Griffin! But how freakin’ scary did she turn out to be in the end?! SHE WAS TERRIFYING. And the poor old murdered! I, for one, think that it’s unlikely Verity’s death was an “accident”, but I believe it was manslaughter – probably Miss Griffin pushed her off in a fit of rage, then felt bad for what she’d done, but still knew that it would send her to jail (to death? I know they still had to the death penalty, but according to Orwell the “done thing” was for men to hang and women to get jail time. Anyway. I digress). Although the whole thing must’ve made her a little mad, because she did kill Miss Bell and Miss Tennyson… hmm. I need someone to talk to me about this book…
All of the characters were so well developed in this, it was so great. I loved them, and I loved Hazel’s “case book” where it was in short chapters and different sections – the style and formatting of the whole thing was done really well. I loved the friendship between Daisy and Hazel and how it took its ups and downs – basically, it was a real friendship. Like, how often do you read about that?! (It was also awesome to read about friends having arguments because I am, it would appear, a rather argumentative person and this causes no end to trouble in our friendship group… Anyway, moving on.)
Basically, go and read this book. I don’t know how easy this murder was to guess (I basically just say open-mouthed reading it like, “OF COURSE!”) so if you are a hardened crime reader, don’t blame me if you guess this one straight away. However, yeah, I would recommend this book. I loved it, and I’ll definitely be buying the others in the series. It’s like Enid Blyton… with murder. Aka: right up my street.
Also I accidentally got blood on the cover when my lip started bleeding. Kinda apt? Yeah. (Also, oops. I AM SORRY DEAR BOOK!)
Wow. Wooooooow. This is the probably the first true 5 stars I’ve given this year, because you know what? I couldn’t find a flaw with this book.
Okay so that probably strikes you as being full of baloney, but no, really! There was a great case (I’m proud to say I straight away guessed one of the mini mysteries, just call me Sherlock Holmes’ long-lost ancestor), great characters, a great setting… and, most importantly, great writing.
The one thing I didn’t like about this was Daisy’s character, especially near the beginning of the novel, but y’know what? That set her up for character development! Something I love in books.
Okay, so let’s get on to the plot – I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t guess the murderer. It was hard to, and I think that one of the main reasons I didn’t guess her is because of Stevens’ great writing – you just didn’t think of this character, and I’m trying so hard not to give it away so I’m going to block the next bit because spoilers.
All of the characters were so well developed in this, it was so great. I loved them, and I loved Hazel’s “case book” where it was in short chapters and different sections – the style and formatting of the whole thing was done really well. I loved the friendship between Daisy and Hazel and how it took its ups and downs – basically, it was a real friendship. Like, how often do you read about that?! (It was also awesome to read about friends having arguments because I am, it would appear, a rather argumentative person and this causes no end to trouble in our friendship group… Anyway, moving on.)
Basically, go and read this book. I don’t know how easy this murder was to guess (I basically just say open-mouthed reading it like, “OF COURSE!”) so if you are a hardened crime reader, don’t blame me if you guess this one straight away. However, yeah, I would recommend this book. I loved it, and I’ll definitely be buying the others in the series. It’s like Enid Blyton… with murder. Aka: right up my street.
Also I accidentally got blood on the cover when my lip started bleeding. Kinda apt? Yeah. (Also, oops. I AM SORRY DEAR BOOK!)
This book is such a glorious delight! BUNBREAKS FOR ALL!!!
I completely feel in love with the characters and the story! I really wanted to read some crime/mystery story and this one was the perfect one!
I didn't like Daisy at first; I thought she was a spoiled brat, who used other people to her advantage, but I was surprised to see how her character developed. She grew quite a bit throughout the story and I was very pleased to see that. She was still very pushy by the end of the book but at least she showed that she was sorry to put her friend in that position.
Hazel, on the other hand, was great in my opinion! I loved her narrative voice and comments. I got angry every time someone would mention her country or her nationality. That is the only negative point I have with this book.
The rest of the characters were very entertaining to read and I imagined Miss Griffin to talk and move just like Lady Bracknell from The Importance of Being Earnest.
As regards the story, I thought it was very interesting, especially the setting. Boarding schools seem to be the perfect place to have an adventure but they also sound so creepy! I'm glad I never got to attend to one myself. The mystery aspect was VERY good, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, I love all the little references to other crime stories and characters.
I totally agree with Daisy here, who wants to be Miss Marple?
I would highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more of the Detective Society.
I received a copy of this via NetGalley, for an honest review.
I didn't like Daisy at first; I thought she was a spoiled brat, who used other people to her advantage, but I was surprised to see how her character developed. She grew quite a bit throughout the story and I was very pleased to see that. She was still very pushy by the end of the book but at least she showed that she was sorry to put her friend in that position.
Hazel, on the other hand, was great in my opinion! I loved her narrative voice and comments. I got angry every time someone would mention her country or her nationality. That is the only negative point I have with this book.
The rest of the characters were very entertaining to read and I imagined Miss Griffin to talk and move just like Lady Bracknell from The Importance of Being Earnest.
As regards the story, I thought it was very interesting, especially the setting. Boarding schools seem to be the perfect place to have an adventure but they also sound so creepy! I'm glad I never got to attend to one myself. The mystery aspect was VERY good, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, I love all the little references to other crime stories and characters.
"Miss Marple!" hissed Daisy under her breath. "Holmes and Watson, if you please."
I totally agree with Daisy here, who wants to be Miss Marple?
I would highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more of the Detective Society.
I received a copy of this via NetGalley, for an honest review.
ALTERNATIVE RATING: 6/10*
There is a lot of potential here, and I hope that in future instalments Robin Stevens will only continue to improve on her characters and themes.
For while it was definitely enjoyable, there are some things here that, if tapped into, could be really helpful for younger readers.
Specifically, I would love if future books acknowledge more how the setting impacts the characters and their mindsets. Being set in an all-white, English boarding school during the 1930s’, it would obviously be quite a stark contrast for modern readers to encounter.
Most notably, I want to see more how it’s actually like for Hazel, our main character. She is from Hong Kong and therefore stands out among her white classmates, but it’s not really touched too much upon in this first book. I want to know, unfiltered, what it’s like for her to attend this school and living in an unchallenged, racist society.
And what it’s like to fight against it.
Her internal self-hatred is very prominent throughout this first book – with her constantly referring to herself as fat, and hating her straight her and dark eyes – and I hope to see that challenged both by herself and by other characters. I think many young readers could get some valuable lessons from Hazel Wong, if Robin Stevens dares to take her there.
As for Daisy, the Sherlock to Hazel’s Watson, I couldn’t stand her. Like most reviewers I found her to be arrogant, self-absorbed and an overall terrible friend. However, I think there’s a foundation here for some great redemption and character growth. Only time will tell.
I for one am looking forward to what Wells and Wong are going to get up to next.
(*For more information about my alternative rating system, check out my profile.)
'Murder is always foolish,' said the Inspector. 'If people only murdered each other rationally, I would be out of a job.'This was a delightful little read, and the start of what can become a very good middle-grade series.
There is a lot of potential here, and I hope that in future instalments Robin Stevens will only continue to improve on her characters and themes.
For while it was definitely enjoyable, there are some things here that, if tapped into, could be really helpful for younger readers.
Specifically, I would love if future books acknowledge more how the setting impacts the characters and their mindsets. Being set in an all-white, English boarding school during the 1930s’, it would obviously be quite a stark contrast for modern readers to encounter.
Most notably, I want to see more how it’s actually like for Hazel, our main character. She is from Hong Kong and therefore stands out among her white classmates, but it’s not really touched too much upon in this first book. I want to know, unfiltered, what it’s like for her to attend this school and living in an unchallenged, racist society.
And what it’s like to fight against it.
Her internal self-hatred is very prominent throughout this first book – with her constantly referring to herself as fat, and hating her straight her and dark eyes – and I hope to see that challenged both by herself and by other characters. I think many young readers could get some valuable lessons from Hazel Wong, if Robin Stevens dares to take her there.
As for Daisy, the Sherlock to Hazel’s Watson, I couldn’t stand her. Like most reviewers I found her to be arrogant, self-absorbed and an overall terrible friend. However, I think there’s a foundation here for some great redemption and character growth. Only time will tell.
I for one am looking forward to what Wells and Wong are going to get up to next.
(*For more information about my alternative rating system, check out my profile.)
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was not expecting to find this so gripping for a middle grade but I ended up flying through this and found it such a quick and easy read. I will definitely be continuing the series for some lighthearted mysteries.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was an okay book. I mean the first half of the book was a drag to get through. I mean it was fast pace read, but at the same time I could put it down and would not care to pick it back up. The main reason is Daisy as a character. I disliked Daisy as a secondary character. I thought Hazel could do better, but then the other girls at the boarding school are almost just as bad. Once I got past about half of the book and the mystery was starting to pick up then it kept my attention. And towards the end Daisy releases she has been such a bad friend and person that she slowly gets better as a character. I might continue with the series it depends on my mood.