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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I love Myrtle. She’s intelligent and inquisitive and irrepressible. This is a mystery full of fun characters and just the right number of twists and turns. Always fun.
Missing tiaras, murder on trains, an adventure at the coast.
The second installment in this series is even more delightful than the first. This series just keeps getting better and better with each book.
Myrtle is off for a holiday with her elderly Aunt Helena, Miss Judson, and Peony. She's not exactly happy about it, but they set off and she's instantly part of a new mystery when a priceless tiara is stolen from right in front of her.
Much to Myrtle's delight, she is asked to help solve the theft by Mrs. Bloom a female insurance investigator whom Myrtle looks upon with admiration and respect. Only sadly Mrs. Bloom herself makes a tragic end and Myrtle ends up with not only a jeweled theft on her hands but a murder as well.
There are a few moments where Myrtle is still a bit of a brat and thinks that just because she has one murder under her belt that she's still not learning how to be a proper investigator. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk. She also seems to forget that she's twelve and there are still several things she doesn't know about the world. She is still a child and still behaves like one, even though she seems to think she's all grown up.
The only other thing that bothered me was this.
The writing was fun, the characters were great, the mystery was clever, and fun to see the logical and smart path that Myrtle took to solve what happened. This mystery was better crafted than most adult books I have read lately. And Myrtle's investigation powers have only improved, though she does have a few blunders. But can't hold that against her too much, she is still only twelve and it's only her second murder. She's learning as she goes and she does try to work on her mistakes and improve her behavior.
I love this series and can't wait for more.
The second installment in this series is even more delightful than the first. This series just keeps getting better and better with each book.
Myrtle is off for a holiday with her elderly Aunt Helena, Miss Judson, and Peony. She's not exactly happy about it, but they set off and she's instantly part of a new mystery when a priceless tiara is stolen from right in front of her.
Much to Myrtle's delight, she is asked to help solve the theft by Mrs. Bloom a female insurance investigator whom Myrtle looks upon with admiration and respect. Only sadly Mrs. Bloom herself makes a tragic end and Myrtle ends up with not only a jeweled theft on her hands but a murder as well.
There are a few moments where Myrtle is still a bit of a brat and thinks that just because she has one murder under her belt that she's still not learning how to be a proper investigator. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk. She also seems to forget that she's twelve and there are still several things she doesn't know about the world. She is still a child and still behaves like one, even though she seems to think she's all grown up.
The only other thing that bothered me was this.
Spoiler
Like Sir Quentin and his daughter, Temperance ran away from this place many years ago because Sir Quentin caused a major disaster that cost many locals their lives. He ran off, changed his name, and started fresh without owning up to his behavior. They were despised for what happened and what they did after running away, instead of facing justice. Yet he comes back to the town with his new name, where the tragedy happened, many years later is still ripe for the locals and some of them even recognize him or at least his daughter. He builds a new hotel and tries to start changing their town to his new vision so that he can get rich from his scam. Like why would he go back to a place, where people wish him bodily harm for his vile actions. There are tons of beach towns along the coast, that are small, filled with poor people, and out of place for him to run his con from without worry of people catching on. Why didn't he go there? Why come back to the place, where people want him to rot in jail or rot six feet under? I know it's a middle-grade book, but come on, that's just a bit of a cop-out of everything too much of a coincidence.The writing was fun, the characters were great, the mystery was clever, and fun to see the logical and smart path that Myrtle took to solve what happened. This mystery was better crafted than most adult books I have read lately. And Myrtle's investigation powers have only improved, though she does have a few blunders.
Spoiler
Like stealing evidence and contaminating a crime scene.I love this series and can't wait for more.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The second Myrtle Hardcastle mystery was as charming and fun as the first. Terrific narrator for the audiobook, a fun vacation story after the first in the series revolved around the main character's next door neighbour's death.
I love Myrtle so much. This series is so delightful, and I would have adored it when I was a kid! Heck, I’m 26 and I LOVE it now!!! This one had very “Murder on the Orient Express” vibes. I could see the plot twist coming a mile away, but I still enjoyed the ride!
Also, Aunt Helena is my new favorite: “After this, Christmas will be very dull”
Also, Aunt Helena is my new favorite: “After this, Christmas will be very dull”
How to Get Away with Myrtle is a fabulous follow up to Premediated Myrtle.
Just like in Premediated Myrtle, Myrtle has a fabulous narrative voice, and her footnotes and breaking of the fourth wall continue into How to Get Away with Myrtle. Her character voice is so fun to read.
Most of the side characters in How to Get Away with Myrtle are new characters, and Bunce does a nice job of developing them. I also loved the reappearance of Mr. Blakeney and how he got to play a part in the plot.
The setting of the story was developed well, giving it the perfect atmosphere of a rustic seaside village.
The mystery, like in the previous novel, is well done, keeping the readers on their toes. I had a hunch about who the culprit was, and I was partially right.
If you enjoyed Premediated Myrtle, you'll thoroughly enjoy How to Get Away with Myrtle.
Cautions: two blasphemies; non-graphic mentions of strangulation, stabbing, and poisoning
Just like in Premediated Myrtle, Myrtle has a fabulous narrative voice, and her footnotes and breaking of the fourth wall continue into How to Get Away with Myrtle. Her character voice is so fun to read.
Most of the side characters in How to Get Away with Myrtle are new characters, and Bunce does a nice job of developing them. I also loved the reappearance of Mr. Blakeney and how he got to play a part in the plot.
The setting of the story was developed well, giving it the perfect atmosphere of a rustic seaside village.
The mystery, like in the previous novel, is well done, keeping the readers on their toes. I had a hunch about who the culprit was, and I was partially right.
If you enjoyed Premediated Myrtle, you'll thoroughly enjoy How to Get Away with Myrtle.
Cautions: two blasphemies; non-graphic mentions of strangulation, stabbing, and poisoning
I loooooove this series. Can’t wait for book three!
Thank you Algonquin Books for young readers for sending me a free copy of this book to read and review.
Myrtle is vacationing by the sea with her aunt Helena and her governess Ms. Judson for the holidays. Myrtle doesn't care much for her aunt Helena because she can be harsh, and Myrtle believes this vacation is her father's way of punishing and distracting her because of her interest in solving murder cases. After embarking on the train to the sea, Myrtle meets many other passengers who are also on their way to the same seaside resort. She meets Mrs. Bloom, insurance investigator for Albion Casualty Insurance, who is protecting an expensive tiara as it travels to its destination. Later on, Myrtle is invited to a social gathering, and the lights suddenly go out. The tiara has disappeared! Mrs. Bloom invites Myrtle to help crack the case of the missing tiara, and Myrtle is only too happy to oblige, despite Aunt Helena's public threatening of Mrs. Bloom. The next day, Mrs. Bloom doesn't arrive for breakfast, and the train guests wonder what has happened to her. Not long after, Myrtle finds Mrs. Bloom with shears in her back, much like the shears that Aunt Helena threatened her with. Did Helena do this, or can Myrtle find the real killer and clear Helena's name before it's too late?
I liked Myrtle's second adventure even more than her first! I'm a sucker for a murder mystery on a train, and the humor and footnotes from Myrtle were more engaging than they were in Premeditated Myrtle. Myrtle has such a sharp intellect, and I love that the scientific aspects Myrtle brings to the table are actually legitimate and based in truth. Myrtle is stalwart and relentless in her pursuit of justice, even when others doubt her or try to raise obstacles just because of her age or her supposed place in society. Elizabeth Bunce does a really great job of writing the characters as if they are all legitimate suspects and interesting people, which kept me guessing about who the real culprit was until the big reveal, which not many books succeed with. This story also continues to showcase situations where women and girls are treated unfairly by men. In particular, there is a moment when the inspector for the railway police smacks Myrtle's hand and steals a notebook from Ms. Judson which made my blood boil! Ooooh no he didn't! How to Get Away with Myrtle is the second book in this excellent series that is being marketed for children, yet its mysteries are more solid than many adult mysteries I've read. I want the third one to be part of my collection already! The Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries are some of the finest literature that's approachable for young and old being written today, and I recommend them to all brave persons of intelligence and justice.
Myrtle is vacationing by the sea with her aunt Helena and her governess Ms. Judson for the holidays. Myrtle doesn't care much for her aunt Helena because she can be harsh, and Myrtle believes this vacation is her father's way of punishing and distracting her because of her interest in solving murder cases. After embarking on the train to the sea, Myrtle meets many other passengers who are also on their way to the same seaside resort. She meets Mrs. Bloom, insurance investigator for Albion Casualty Insurance, who is protecting an expensive tiara as it travels to its destination. Later on, Myrtle is invited to a social gathering, and the lights suddenly go out. The tiara has disappeared! Mrs. Bloom invites Myrtle to help crack the case of the missing tiara, and Myrtle is only too happy to oblige, despite Aunt Helena's public threatening of Mrs. Bloom. The next day, Mrs. Bloom doesn't arrive for breakfast, and the train guests wonder what has happened to her. Not long after, Myrtle finds Mrs. Bloom with shears in her back, much like the shears that Aunt Helena threatened her with. Did Helena do this, or can Myrtle find the real killer and clear Helena's name before it's too late?
I liked Myrtle's second adventure even more than her first! I'm a sucker for a murder mystery on a train, and the humor and footnotes from Myrtle were more engaging than they were in Premeditated Myrtle. Myrtle has such a sharp intellect, and I love that the scientific aspects Myrtle brings to the table are actually legitimate and based in truth. Myrtle is stalwart and relentless in her pursuit of justice, even when others doubt her or try to raise obstacles just because of her age or her supposed place in society. Elizabeth Bunce does a really great job of writing the characters as if they are all legitimate suspects and interesting people, which kept me guessing about who the real culprit was until the big reveal, which not many books succeed with. This story also continues to showcase situations where women and girls are treated unfairly by men. In particular, there is a moment when the inspector for the railway police smacks Myrtle's hand and steals a notebook from Ms. Judson which made my blood boil! Ooooh no he didn't! How to Get Away with Myrtle is the second book in this excellent series that is being marketed for children, yet its mysteries are more solid than many adult mysteries I've read. I want the third one to be part of my collection already! The Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries are some of the finest literature that's approachable for young and old being written today, and I recommend them to all brave persons of intelligence and justice.
Plot: Another great mystery in this series! I don't want to ruin the mystery for people, so I will just say that I thought the mystery was really well done, and while I guessed part of what had happened, I didn't figure it all out, which was nice. I always love when a mystery is able to surprise me!
Characters: I loved Myrtle, and Miss Judson again in this one! I also liked how we got a bunch of new characters, but characters from the first book were also part of it. (Sometimes in ways I didn't expect!) I liked how we got another side of Aunt Helena in this book.
The Cover: Another good cover!
Overall: This was a fantastic sequel, and I can't wait for another book in the series! (Which is mentioned at the end of the book.) Highly recommend these books if you're looking for a good mystery, no matter what age you are!
I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher.
Characters: I loved Myrtle, and Miss Judson again in this one! I also liked how we got a bunch of new characters, but characters from the first book were also part of it. (Sometimes in ways I didn't expect!) I liked how we got another side of Aunt Helena in this book.
The Cover: Another good cover!
Overall: This was a fantastic sequel, and I can't wait for another book in the series! (Which is mentioned at the end of the book.) Highly recommend these books if you're looking for a good mystery, no matter what age you are!
I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher.