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j_squaredd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Racism
afender's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
issianne's review against another edition
4.0
This book gave me exactly what I wanted it to, and I will be eternally grateful to it for that. I love Lily, I love her backstory, and I love her being a woman in this time investigating a murder. There were repetitive scenes that were unnecessary, but I understood how they related to the plot. Also, this was a great audiobook!
beebliobibuli's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Recently widowed "Lily Adler" makes her comeback to the London society after being away for a while. Little does she know on what she's going to stumble on her first reception of the season.
Overwhelmed by the guests and the atmosphere, Lily seeks refuge in the gardens, moments later she overhears a blackmailing quarrel, but can't identify who's been arguing. Retreating slowly, she's surprised by the sound of a gunshot that:
- Makes a victim
- Marks the start of a quite unusual team of amateur investigators.
The plot is quite interesting, as the police is bribed into closing the case for lack of evidence, for you know, London's finest can't be at the center of a scandal, let alone a murder! This situation made it hard for Lily and Co. because, now, things needed to be done in the atmost secrecy.
I found the start to be a bit slow, what with all Lily's facial expression described almost in every chapter, but soon enough, the book picked up its pace, as more characters were introduced making the list of suspects longer than ever! There were also some pretty good twists making harder to discern the real culprit, misleading me and adding to the intensity of the story.
As you might've noticed, many readers complained about Lily's character in many of their reviews, yes indeed, she can be a pest, but for once, I really enjoyed this kind of main character as she really proved to be smart, exposing herself and her friend to as less danger as possible.
Unlike the readers mentioned above, Miss Oswalds character had the skill to set my teeth on edge and gave that insuppressible desire to slap her everytime she opened her mouth, but unfortunately, I should resign myself to my fate and tolerate her presence, because it seems she's going nowhere in the next installments.
So, it seems like I've found a new exciting mystery series set in regency London, with a smart main character, a humble, brave navy captain and an insuffrable brat for companions!
Overwhelmed by the guests and the atmosphere, Lily seeks refuge in the gardens, moments later she overhears a blackmailing quarrel, but can't identify who's been arguing. Retreating slowly, she's surprised by the sound of a gunshot that:
- Makes a victim
- Marks the start of a quite unusual team of amateur investigators.
The plot is quite interesting, as the police is bribed into closing the case for lack of evidence, for you know, London's finest can't be at the center of a scandal, let alone a murder! This situation made it hard for Lily and Co. because, now, things needed to be done in the atmost secrecy.
I found the start to be a bit slow, what with all Lily's facial expression described almost in every chapter, but soon enough, the book picked up its pace, as more characters were introduced making the list of suspects longer than ever! There were also some pretty good twists making harder to discern the real culprit, misleading me and adding to the intensity of the story.
As you might've noticed, many readers complained about Lily's character in many of their reviews, yes indeed, she can be a pest, but for once, I really enjoyed this kind of main character as she really proved to be smart, exposing herself and her friend to as less danger as possible.
Unlike the readers mentioned above, Miss Oswalds character had the skill to set my teeth on edge and gave that insuppressible desire to slap her everytime she opened her mouth, but unfortunately, I should resign myself to my fate and tolerate her presence, because it seems she's going nowhere in the next installments.
So, it seems like I've found a new exciting mystery series set in regency London, with a smart main character, a humble, brave navy captain and an insuffrable brat for companions!
kimberlyhof's review against another edition
4.0
There were a few different times I thought I had a lock on who did but they ended up being red herrings. Not super thrilled with the ending but it’s a series that follows the main character so not disappointed in the slightest
quinnster's review against another edition
2.0
It doesn't happen too often, but sometimes choosing a book based on its cover doesn't work out for me. This was one of those times. I was just bored with Lily. She felt like cardboard to me, there wasn't much to her and I didn't care about solving the murder at all!
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.