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ksm's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annie921992's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
lauratoria's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ccloleanne's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
cosmoblivion's review
Finished my book I brought to travel with too soon, so at the train station I found this one. I wasn’t sure I would like it of course, had never heard of the author. I am not usually ‘into’ ghosty/witchy stories either. But it was the 29th of October, Halloween on the way, and the author’s opening lines made me smile. I took the risk and bought it. I finished it last night! I had a most difficult time attempting to not laugh out loud and disturb my travel companions; then, had the same problem reading it beside my spouse in bed! One of the fun aspects of the book for me was the colloquial references to London. The author never gave it rest either as far as her bright and comical cynicism. Oh, and no worries about there being an actual complex mystery to solve! In the midst of all the fun, Syd Moore kept the bar on social commentary true and HIGH while also, sneakily, weaving a curious mystery to solve. Without giving away too much, suffice it to say that I am picky about mysteries, having an affinity for the genre since childhood. In my humble opinion, this story excelled at making the problem interesting, believable, with a unique resolution.
joecam79's review
4.0
“Strange Sight” is the second instalment in Syd Moore’s projected “Essex Witch Museum” trilogy. I hadn’t read the first novel in the series ([b:Strange Magic|32073145|Strange Magic (Essex Witches, #1)|Syd Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485260662s/32073145.jpg|52720646]), but this did not detract from my enjoyment of this book, not least because as we go along the author deftly fills us newbies in with the facts we need to know. The back story can be briefly summed up. Rosie Strange unexpectedly inherits a “witch museum” set up by her grandfather Septimus, whom she hardly knew. Rosie is a down-to-earth, thirty-something “Essex girl” and scepticism runs in her blood (she’s a benefits fraud inspector, so one would hardly expect otherwise). She is bent on a quick sale of the museum, but finds herself oddly attracted to it. And to its resident curator, Sam Stone. She soon also becomes embroiled in enquiries of an otherworldly bent. In the case of “Strange Sight”, Strange and Stone are called to investigate ghostly manifestations in a high-end London restaurant, only to discover that the chef has been killed in what seems to be a ritual murder. The ghostbusters turn sleuths as they try to crack the link between this terrible crime and the ongoing hauntings.
Of course, crime and supernatural genres have been combined before. One thinks of [a:William Hope Hodgson|51422|William Hope Hodgson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246727581p2/51422.jpg]’s Carnacki series or, closer to us, [a:John Connolly|38951|John Connolly|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201288913p2/38951.jpg]’s Charlie Parker novels. What I liked about Moore is that the supernatural aspect does not drown out the “crime novel” elements. Indeed, the mystery is well-plotted, satisfactorily concluded and could stand its ground even without the otherwordly baggage. The ghostly sub-plots however add an element of frisson and there are hints that there is an overarching mystery directly involving Rosie Strange which will only be unravelled in the final book. What makes this novel a success is the endearing investigative duo, and especially the funny, charismatic Rosie, who doubles as narrator. Part Mulder and Scully, part Holmes and Watson, with some Bridget Jones thrown into the mix, it is the unlikely chemistry between the two which drives this book. That and the witty dialogue.
This is an entertaining novel, a perfect read for summer (or make that a spooky autumn afternoon), and one which I wouldn’t mind seeing adapted for the screen.
An electronic copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley in return for an honest review
Of course, crime and supernatural genres have been combined before. One thinks of [a:William Hope Hodgson|51422|William Hope Hodgson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1246727581p2/51422.jpg]’s Carnacki series or, closer to us, [a:John Connolly|38951|John Connolly|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201288913p2/38951.jpg]’s Charlie Parker novels. What I liked about Moore is that the supernatural aspect does not drown out the “crime novel” elements. Indeed, the mystery is well-plotted, satisfactorily concluded and could stand its ground even without the otherwordly baggage. The ghostly sub-plots however add an element of frisson and there are hints that there is an overarching mystery directly involving Rosie Strange which will only be unravelled in the final book. What makes this novel a success is the endearing investigative duo, and especially the funny, charismatic Rosie, who doubles as narrator. Part Mulder and Scully, part Holmes and Watson, with some Bridget Jones thrown into the mix, it is the unlikely chemistry between the two which drives this book. That and the witty dialogue.
This is an entertaining novel, a perfect read for summer (or make that a spooky autumn afternoon), and one which I wouldn’t mind seeing adapted for the screen.
An electronic copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley in return for an honest review
eloisebell's review
3.0
The story follows Rosie, a 30 something Essex girl, who although a sceptic finds herself inheriting a witch museum and reluctantly gets roped into solving a paranormal mystery with the current curator; Sam Stone.
Yes I will admit that Rosie is a ‘challenging’ character to say the least. I disliked her more as the book went on and for me it did detract slightly from the storyline.
The most likeable part of the book was the investigating duo and their relationship. I loved the chemistry between the two and found myself laughing out loud in a few parts. If you can get past Rosie’s sassiness the book was a cute paranormal mystery and made for a great palette cleanser between heavy read.
SIDE NOTE: this is book 2 in The Essex Witches series, having not read the first one didn’t affect my reading of the second in anyway.
Yes I will admit that Rosie is a ‘challenging’ character to say the least. I disliked her more as the book went on and for me it did detract slightly from the storyline.
The most likeable part of the book was the investigating duo and their relationship. I loved the chemistry between the two and found myself laughing out loud in a few parts. If you can get past Rosie’s sassiness the book was a cute paranormal mystery and made for a great palette cleanser between heavy read.
SIDE NOTE: this is book 2 in The Essex Witches series, having not read the first one didn’t affect my reading of the second in anyway.
nichola's review
4.0
I adore this series. The narrator would normally grate me but for some reason Rosie makes me so happy. Her very real and very human concerns make me chuckle.
Sam is sort or irrelevant except to be useful but he doesnt really seem to exist to me.
But best of all the melding oh history, skepticism and real magic make me grin.
Sam is sort or irrelevant except to be useful but he doesnt really seem to exist to me.
But best of all the melding oh history, skepticism and real magic make me grin.