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val_hugaux's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
5.0
The Body in the Garden is a fun and interesting read.
While firmly grounded in the society of the day, it doesn't labour points, as some authors might do, but rather absorbs everything as part of the space the characters are occupying.
I'm currently watching the TV adaptation of Sanditon and The Body in the Garden easily feels as though it follows many of the conventions well known from a Jane Austen book. If there is too much emphasis on the purchase of gloves and hats, then that was only what well-bred ladies would have been worried about!
The mystery is well put together, and there are any number of potential suspects along the way, which makes the story move along at a fine old pace, and not without some peril for the main character.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I hope there are more mysteries for Lady Adler, and her 'roguish' captain to solve.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
While firmly grounded in the society of the day, it doesn't labour points, as some authors might do, but rather absorbs everything as part of the space the characters are occupying.
I'm currently watching the TV adaptation of Sanditon and The Body in the Garden easily feels as though it follows many of the conventions well known from a Jane Austen book. If there is too much emphasis on the purchase of gloves and hats, then that was only what well-bred ladies would have been worried about!
The mystery is well put together, and there are any number of potential suspects along the way, which makes the story move along at a fine old pace, and not without some peril for the main character.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I hope there are more mysteries for Lady Adler, and her 'roguish' captain to solve.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
purplequeen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a cute read. It was pleasant enough, and the mystery kept the suspense up a bit. I, however, struggled to really be invested in the case completely. I am not sure if it was the impersonal nature of the motives that made it feel like it was moving so slow or just that I didn't completely connect with the cast of characters.
I will likely continue the series at some point and hope I feel more invested in their lives in the future. I wonder if they all wrap up so clean and tidy in the ends as this. This is a good palette cleanser between heavy reads if I were to recommend this to others.
I will likely continue the series at some point and hope I feel more invested in their lives in the future. I wonder if they all wrap up so clean and tidy in the ends as this. This is a good palette cleanser between heavy reads if I were to recommend this to others.
rachelm31f6b's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
paigestooksbury's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
aruktai's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This was an enjoyable Regency historical mystery to read. The characters were interesting, and the plot had a good enough twist to keep the reader attention. Historical accuracy was portrayed well, with clear research having being given.
A great debut novel for Katherine Schellman.
A great debut novel for Katherine Schellman.
thriftylibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
For a debut novel, this book was pretty good. The book was well researched and even though the main character was more modern, she was believable.
The novel is set in 1815, and the main character, Lily, is a young widow recently returned to London. At a party, she overhears a conversation in the garden that leads to murder, and focuses her attention on solving the case. I did enjoy trying to figure out the mysteries, and the characters were likeable and witty. I also liked that the author included POC as main characters, which is not always the case with Historical novels. I do think there were a few too many characters in the novel that distracted from the story. It's hard to keep track of 20+ names in a 350 page novel. However, I am looking forward the the next Lily Adler book!
The novel is set in 1815, and the main character, Lily, is a young widow recently returned to London. At a party, she overhears a conversation in the garden that leads to murder, and focuses her attention on solving the case. I did enjoy trying to figure out the mysteries, and the characters were likeable and witty. I also liked that the author included POC as main characters, which is not always the case with Historical novels. I do think there were a few too many characters in the novel that distracted from the story. It's hard to keep track of 20+ names in a 350 page novel. However, I am looking forward the the next Lily Adler book!