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teameak's review against another edition
4.0
Whimsical, intriguing, and likable characters that kept the book going at a good pace. Not one of race through but one I was eager to pick up every evening and read the mystery slowly unraveling. Not the type of genre I'd usually go for but so endearing I would read the whole series (needless to say I believe I started in the wrong place - enjoyable nonetheless). Glad I stumbled upon this book.
alisonw's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Important to note: I picked this up from the bargain section of my local bookshop without realising it was third in the series, once I realised I had to come into Goodreads to find out because it’s really not made obvious on the book itself. The story does ‘stand alone’ but in the way a tv drama does - you feel like you’re missing the bigger picture storyline somewhat.
Down to the book itself: really love the concept, really didn’t love the execution. I could elaborate but this is what it really boils down to.
The only thing I would like to add is that for such a fantastical and ‘silly’ (stylistically not as an insult, can’t think of a better word for it) book, the actual truth behind the central mystery was very real world and dark, which felt a bit jarring.
Down to the book itself: really love the concept, really didn’t love the execution. I could elaborate but this is what it really boils down to.
The only thing I would like to add is that for such a fantastical and ‘silly’ (stylistically not as an insult, can’t think of a better word for it) book, the actual truth behind the central mystery was very real world and dark, which felt a bit jarring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
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
cosmoblivion's review against another edition
5.0
Best yet! I have fallen for Rosie Strange and her curator. Syd Moore, again, had me in stitches! laughing at her play on words. For me, reading her Strange books are like hanging out with one of my best galpals. Soooo, dear Ms Syd Moore, could you possibly keep us satiated with MORE Rosie Strange books? pretty please.
PS: The mystery is also nicely spun with no detail left out. There Are some mysteries unsolved too. This is the third in the series.
PS: The mystery is also nicely spun with no detail left out. There Are some mysteries unsolved too. This is the third in the series.
eileenhughes's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
nichola's review against another edition
4.0
I think I'm a tiny bit in love with this series. It's like the perfect sassy compatriot to the Lychford series by Cornell.
I don't even know why I love Rosie as much as I do. But she is so unbelievably human both in her flaws and her charm.
I loved the build up of the flowers from book 2 and the tragic answers of book 3.
I am hopefully going to be all caught up on this series this year.
I don't even know why I love Rosie as much as I do. But she is so unbelievably human both in her flaws and her charm.
I loved the build up of the flowers from book 2 and the tragic answers of book 3.
I am hopefully going to be all caught up on this series this year.
matt_e's review
5.0
I am really really enjoying this series. Haven't read a book in a while but when it came through my emails that it was being released I bought it straight away.
If you enjoyed the first couple of books then you will enjoy this just as much. Got to admit when I heard it was only going to be a trilogy after reading the second book I was a little bit gutted as the characters have been written well and it seemed the witch museum could have many more secrets to spill.
So when I read there was another one due this year it was awesome.
Please continue to write these.
If you enjoyed the first couple of books then you will enjoy this just as much. Got to admit when I heard it was only going to be a trilogy after reading the second book I was a little bit gutted as the characters have been written well and it seemed the witch museum could have many more secrets to spill.
So when I read there was another one due this year it was awesome.
Please continue to write these.
az86011's review
4.0
Having read the first two in the Essex Witch Museum series, I was really looking forward to this third instalment. It didn’t disappoint! I’ve said in previous reviews of the series that I’m not a fan of the main character, but now that I’m getting to know a bit more about her, she’s growing on me. Sure, there are still plenty of euphemisms and she’s still pretty shallow, but there’s also a caring Rosie coming through who is more ‘human’ and much more likeable.
This story sees Rosie and museum creator Sam deal with some bizarre goings on in the village of Adders Fork after developers attempt to move the Blackly Be - a large stone said to mark the grave of a notorious witch, Black Anne. I’m not revealing any more because ‘spoilers’! But what I loved about this book was the introduction of some new characters, some endearing and some kooky, which was much needed in the series. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Rosie’s family history, with its own mysteries. Book three hasn’t let me down!
This story sees Rosie and museum creator Sam deal with some bizarre goings on in the village of Adders Fork after developers attempt to move the Blackly Be - a large stone said to mark the grave of a notorious witch, Black Anne. I’m not revealing any more because ‘spoilers’! But what I loved about this book was the introduction of some new characters, some endearing and some kooky, which was much needed in the series. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Rosie’s family history, with its own mysteries. Book three hasn’t let me down!
joecam79's review
3.0
3.5*
Strange Fascination brings to a close Syd Moore’s“Essex Witch Museum” trilogy. The overarching story which links the three novels features as protagonist Rosie Strange, a sceptical, feisty benefit fraud inspector who unexpectedly inherits from her grandfather Septimus the eponymous witch museum in the small village of Adders Fork. This strange (ahem) legacy will lead Rosie to discover long-buried secrets related to her family and to rethink her ideas about the supernatural. Each of the instalments in the trilogy also sees Rosie and the museum's curator Sam Stone ending up embroiled in a criminal investigation with occult overtones. In "Strange Fascination", the 'mystery' revolves around the Blackly Be boulder, said to mark the final resting place of a notorious witch. Against the villagers' better judgment, developers try to move the boulder, leading to a flurry of otherworldly phenomena. And a very real murder.
I had enjoyed reading [b:Strange Sight|33376822|Strange Sight (Essex Witches, #2)|Syd Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489119429s/33376822.jpg|54117884] - the trilogy's second volume - and had particularly liked the well-judged balance between ingredients of supernatural fiction and the "whodunnit". In comparison, I found this instalment rather disappointing. I felt that the action took rather longer to take off, and whilst Rosie's narrative voice is as witty and endearing as ever, the constant attempt at humour drains the tension out of what could have been genuinely scary episodes. This was less evident in the previous novel, whose emphasis was more on the "crime" than on the "supernatural" element.
On the other hand, this novel cannot be fairly considered on its own, but is best assessed in the light of its predecessors. In this regard, Strange Fascination is undoubtedly effective. It teases out the secrets and enigmas of Rosie's ancestors and, thanks to some imaginative plotting, ties up all the loose ends and red herrings planted in the previous novels. Lovers of history and folklore will also enjoy the references to history of witchcraft and folk beliefs, subtly woven into plot.