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alanabie's review
3.0
Enjoyable and intriguing, if a tad predictable. It would have benefitted from less exposition, as events of the previous books weren't necessary to understand this one.
mariakureads's review
2.0
Am I glad I finished this!
This could have been better - The book blurb really made this to be a mystery and the time period of the 1600 seemed like a great choice but the reality was that there was no real mystery and the characters were boring and spiteful, the misogynistic culture was apparent from the beginning and all the way through the book and I ended up not caring for the characters or what would happen to them which leads to a downfall in my interest.
I ended a lot up with a lot of disbelief in midwifery every time I read a chapter, as Bridget the Midwife, becomes a minor sleuth throwing a title and weight around and essentially bullying her way through this book and story so the few times people actually went up against her, I cheered.
I did enjoy the few history aspects, as Thomas describes in minor detail the setting and sets the story nicely within the 1600's creating a dark and dank time that should be explored more.
This could have been better - The book blurb really made this to be a mystery and the time period of the 1600 seemed like a great choice but the reality was that there was no real mystery and the characters were boring and spiteful, the misogynistic culture was apparent from the beginning and all the way through the book and I ended up not caring for the characters or what would happen to them which leads to a downfall in my interest.
I ended a lot up with a lot of disbelief in midwifery every time I read a chapter, as Bridget the Midwife, becomes a minor sleuth throwing a title and weight around and essentially bullying her way through this book and story so the few times people actually went up against her, I cheered.
I did enjoy the few history aspects, as Thomas describes in minor detail the setting and sets the story nicely within the 1600's creating a dark and dank time that should be explored more.
abookishaffair's review against another edition
4.0
"The Harlot's Tale" marks the return of Lady Bridget, a midwife who also has a penchant for solving mysteries. I read "The Midwife's Tale" last year and really enjoyed it. I was looking forward to getting back to reading about Bridget (who is a fantastic character by the way). Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
You can most definitely read this book without having read "The Midwife's Tale" before (but you should go back and read the book because it is good). Historical mysteries are not my usual fare but what I liked about this book and the previous book in the series is that the characters are really great. Bridget is a really an amazing character. She is strong and she is smart. I loved following her as she tried to solve the mysterious and brutal murders happening in her small town.
This book is definitely fast paced. I really thought the author did a great job of giving readers a small clue about what happened with the murders without giving too much away. When I read a mystery, I don't want to be able to solve the mystery before the book ends. I love a good surprise and that is exactly what I got with this book.
I am hoping that there are more adventures planned for Bridget in future books!
You can most definitely read this book without having read "The Midwife's Tale" before (but you should go back and read the book because it is good). Historical mysteries are not my usual fare but what I liked about this book and the previous book in the series is that the characters are really great. Bridget is a really an amazing character. She is strong and she is smart. I loved following her as she tried to solve the mysterious and brutal murders happening in her small town.
This book is definitely fast paced. I really thought the author did a great job of giving readers a small clue about what happened with the murders without giving too much away. When I read a mystery, I don't want to be able to solve the mystery before the book ends. I love a good surprise and that is exactly what I got with this book.
I am hoping that there are more adventures planned for Bridget in future books!
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