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peggyemi's review
2.0
This is the first book I've read by the author Hannah Dennison and for me, it was a miss. I enjoy cozy mysteries that are character-driven. I can usually overlook other things in a series as long as I find the characters likable, engaging, or quirky. When I click with a character I will keep returning for each new book in a series. Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with these characters. I just didn't like the main characters all that much to care about the story. I also thought the secondary characters were flat as well. As a result, I struggled to get through this book and found myself picking up others to read and then trying to return to this one.
I did like the setting. The hotel on the island off the coast of England allows the author a lot of potential for the plot of this book as well as future installments. I also thought the mystery was solid. This was the part of the story I enjoyed. I thought the author laid out the clues well and provided the reader with a lot of viable suspects.
As I said at the beginning, what keeps me connected to a series are the characters. I just didn't connect with the characters in this book. Perhaps with a bit of retooling and tweaking the author would be able to create some dimensional characters that would engage me as a reader.
This wasn't a bad start to a series, it just wasn't for me and that's okay.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
I did like the setting. The hotel on the island off the coast of England allows the author a lot of potential for the plot of this book as well as future installments. I also thought the mystery was solid. This was the part of the story I enjoyed. I thought the author laid out the clues well and provided the reader with a lot of viable suspects.
As I said at the beginning, what keeps me connected to a series are the characters. I just didn't connect with the characters in this book. Perhaps with a bit of retooling and tweaking the author would be able to create some dimensional characters that would engage me as a reader.
This wasn't a bad start to a series, it just wasn't for me and that's okay.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced copy provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
meezcarrie's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Death at High Tide has the feel of an Agatha Christie mystery in many respects, but almost in caricature. In fact it reminds me more of an old Tim Conway / Don Knotts movie – Private Eyes – where all the characters are more than a little “off” and none are especially likable. The closed room nature of the vividly drawn setting (an eccentric Art Deco hotel on an isolated island only accessible when the tide cooperates) definitely gives the book a boost of interest, as do the closely guarded secrets of its inhabitants. While the only character I found consistently engaging was killed off in this first book, I’m still curious as to where the series will go from here. Fans of British cozies should give this one a try for sure!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that this book does contain more cursing & coarse language than is typical for this genre.
first appeared on Reading Is My SuperPower
Death at High Tide has the feel of an Agatha Christie mystery in many respects, but almost in caricature. In fact it reminds me more of an old Tim Conway / Don Knotts movie – Private Eyes – where all the characters are more than a little “off” and none are especially likable. The closed room nature of the vividly drawn setting (an eccentric Art Deco hotel on an isolated island only accessible when the tide cooperates) definitely gives the book a boost of interest, as do the closely guarded secrets of its inhabitants. While the only character I found consistently engaging was killed off in this first book, I’m still curious as to where the series will go from here. Fans of British cozies should give this one a try for sure!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that this book does contain more cursing & coarse language than is typical for this genre.
first appeared on Reading Is My SuperPower
ssbasile's review
3.0
Entertaining and breezy with likable characters- will look forward to the next installment!
eserafina42's review
3.0
I couldn't really connect with the characters in this one. I'm not one of these people who demands that characters be "likable," but I could not stand Margot. I don't care if her marriage is on the rocks (and I don't think that's a spoiler, since it's pretty obvious that's what's going on pretty much from the start) - she's continually rude, sarcastic, and arrogant, and from the name of the series, it looks like she will continue to feature in future books. Evie (the POV character) also didn't do much for me. And parts of it seemed either improbable or all over the place.
Spoiler
Are we to believe that Nigel was able to essentially bankrupt Robert without him ever noticing? He's supposed to have been a pretty savvy guy. And what was the story with his first marriage? Was his wife a put-upon innocent who's been reduced to working a low-wage job as Tegan claims, or an adulterous harpy who took Robert to the cleaners? Evie seems to decide to accept the second without much thought or evidence, but I'd want to know if I had been lied to from the start if I were her.jen_baroness_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison is a fabulous start to a new series with two marvelous sleuths and a very different setting.
Two sisters, one freshly widowed and one on the way to divorce. Both unsure of the future and looking for clarity and hope. So, a sisters' weekend to a small island in the off-season (November) at a luxury hotel. Ok, so luxury is a stretch, but the hotel grounds are beautiful, even if the owner is rude, obnoxious, and overbearing.
I like Evie, although I believe that she is mousey and perhaps slightly gullible. However, she wasn't the only one taken in by the killer. She had a wonderful husband, even if he was older. You can tell from her memories that she loved him. It seemed like Evie was slow, figuring it all out, but honestly, it all hit her once.
Margot is a riot. Although her husband is a cad and never deserved her. Margot throws some of the craziest stuff out there. She will be an excellent funny man to Evie's seriousness. These sisters are going to shake up the Scilly Isles and give the locals something to talk about.
The mystery was good. I figured it out about halfway through. The flow is outstanding, and the plotting is spot on. The writer's style is brilliant, knowledge of pop culture, and the whole "Doctor Dolittle" vicar is very entertaining. Seriously, Star Wars is everywhere. The hotel with the Art deco parts and then the 1970s theme (complete with shag carpet) in the main areas is crazy. I can imagine how crazy it all seemed to Evie and Margot.
I laughed out loud in many places; these sisters are hilarious. I especially love their snark with each other. My rating for Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison is five stars. You should check out this first book in this new series; it will make you laugh.
Prize: (7) Prize Package beautiful glass-shell soap dishes that are handmade on the Isles of Scilly (shells picked up from the beaches) and a copy of Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison
Will Evie and Margot figure out who the killer is before one of them are next?
Evie and Margot
Two sisters, one freshly widowed and one on the way to divorce. Both unsure of the future and looking for clarity and hope. So, a sisters' weekend to a small island in the off-season (November) at a luxury hotel. Ok, so luxury is a stretch, but the hotel grounds are beautiful, even if the owner is rude, obnoxious, and overbearing.
I like Evie, although I believe that she is mousey and perhaps slightly gullible. However, she wasn't the only one taken in by the killer. She had a wonderful husband, even if he was older. You can tell from her memories that she loved him. It seemed like Evie was slow, figuring it all out, but honestly, it all hit her once.
Margot is a riot. Although her husband is a cad and never deserved her. Margot throws some of the craziest stuff out there. She will be an excellent funny man to Evie's seriousness. These sisters are going to shake up the Scilly Isles and give the locals something to talk about.
The Mystery
The mystery was good. I figured it out about halfway through. The flow is outstanding, and the plotting is spot on. The writer's style is brilliant, knowledge of pop culture, and the whole "Doctor Dolittle" vicar is very entertaining. Seriously, Star Wars is everywhere. The hotel with the Art deco parts and then the 1970s theme (complete with shag carpet) in the main areas is crazy. I can imagine how crazy it all seemed to Evie and Margot.
Five Stars
I laughed out loud in many places; these sisters are hilarious. I especially love their snark with each other. My rating for Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison is five stars. You should check out this first book in this new series; it will make you laugh.
Giveaway
Prize: (7) Prize Package beautiful glass-shell soap dishes that are handmade on the Isles of Scilly (shells picked up from the beaches) and a copy of Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison
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This Guest Review is for Baroness' Book Trove.
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
reading_srsly's review
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
zombeesknees's review
4.0
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-death-at-high-tide-by-hannah-dennison/
tinybibliophile's review
4.0
My Review:⭐️⭐⭐⭐/ 5 stars
I must admit I chose this because of the cute cat on the cover…I did not read any synopsis/blurbs about it and do not usually read cozy mystery novels… so I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I devoured every single page. The dialogue was fun and the characters quirky. This is the first installment of the Island Sisters series, and I am so glad I got to read the first one. Margot and Evie head to Tregarrick Rock on the Isle of Scilly after Evie’s husband's death to see if she would be inheriting it. After arriving, they immediately notice how strange everyone is withholding information about her late husband and his connection to them. After discovering a dead body, everyone at the hotel are deemed suspects considering the remote location and everyone having a possible motive/secret. I read all 300 + pages in just 1 day - it was a fun, quick mystery read and I am looking forward to the next installment. I highly recommend if you want a quick, mystery beach read.
Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaurbooks for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! It will be out on August 18th!
melmo2610's review
3.0
Interesting mystery. The characters aren't my favorites but the story held my interest. I'd try another in this series.