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kendrarousseau's review
2.0
1.5 stars
Well, perhaps cozy mysteries aren’t for me. This one certainly wasn’t. I was hoping for an easy little escape, which I suppose I did get, but I really disliked this and it slowed my reading way down. For a murder mystery, this was verrrrry slow. The first murder didn’t even happen until 50% of the way through the book. I think what put it over the top for me was how much I disliked ALL of the characters. I found them one-dimensional and uninteresting. The only thing I can say I liked about this book was the island setting. That combined with the fact that I bothered to finish it bumps this up just a bit.
Well, perhaps cozy mysteries aren’t for me. This one certainly wasn’t. I was hoping for an easy little escape, which I suppose I did get, but I really disliked this and it slowed my reading way down. For a murder mystery, this was verrrrry slow. The first murder didn’t even happen until 50% of the way through the book. I think what put it over the top for me was how much I disliked ALL of the characters. I found them one-dimensional and uninteresting. The only thing I can say I liked about this book was the island setting. That combined with the fact that I bothered to finish it bumps this up just a bit.
debrajoreads's review
4.0
I was asked to read an advanced copy of book two in this series. I’ve had this one on my tbr list for a while but there were mixed reviews. So I decided to read it.
I loved the book. I found the characters all extremely quirky, some endearing and some hatable. The setting was great. I love lighthouses and I mean what better setting is there for a mystery than an island?
Let’s talk about the plot. This was such a nod to Ms. Christie. Several people on an island, all with their own motives, no way on and no way off, and everyone is a suspect. Brilliant.
I had both the digital and audio versions of this book. I highly recommend the audio. The narrator is great and the accents make the story even better.
I cannot wait to move on to book two.
I loved the book. I found the characters all extremely quirky, some endearing and some hatable. The setting was great. I love lighthouses and I mean what better setting is there for a mystery than an island?
Let’s talk about the plot. This was such a nod to Ms. Christie. Several people on an island, all with their own motives, no way on and no way off, and everyone is a suspect. Brilliant.
I had both the digital and audio versions of this book. I highly recommend the audio. The narrator is great and the accents make the story even better.
I cannot wait to move on to book two.
cheri325's review
3.0
Evie's older husband dies suddenly, and she finds out that she might have inherited a hotel on an island off the coast of England. Accompanied by her sister, Margo, Evie sets off for a weekend on the island to see what is going on. But things aren't what they seem, and bodies start dropping.
This was a cute cozy mystery. There's little in the way of character development, and I easily figured out "who done it." But I enjoyed the cast of characters and the story and am interested in reading more from this author.
This was a cute cozy mystery. There's little in the way of character development, and I easily figured out "who done it." But I enjoyed the cast of characters and the story and am interested in reading more from this author.
rubenstein's review
2.0
I have no idea how this is by the same author of the Honeychurch Hall series. This was so over-the-top cartoony, characters the reader is meant to root for were downright awful and unlikable, diarrhea is an actual plot point. One character, a woman in her 80s, is supposed to be an interesting eccentric - clearly meant to be a fan favorite - but her obsession with pop culture was practically beat over the reader's head. The Big Reveal literally is told through the town vicar who has some telepathic link to animals and can read the cat's thoughts.
I don't know what happened with this book. The setting and cat were great, but that's where the good starts and ends.
Full thoughts to come.
I don't know what happened with this book. The setting and cat were great, but that's where the good starts and ends.
Full thoughts to come.
yetanothersusan's review
2.0
I am very sad, incredibly sad, that this book was a miss for me! I would love to read a cozy series set on a mysterious isolated island off the coast of Cornwall! That sounds terrific! Sadly, a cozy needs interesting and likeable main characters since they are the thread that ties all the books together. In this case, that didn't happen for me. Evie, the main character who may or may not have inherited a hotel, never really got defined for me other than having lost her husband. Instead, I developed a complete disliking of her sister Margot. You know it is bad when you grind your teeth every time a character opens their mouth and then start wishing they would be the victim. I realize first books in series need to focus on setting up the protagonist(s). I try to judge a first book a little easier than I would subsequent installments. However, when a character you would actually enjoy reading more about is killed off and you are left with someone uninspiring and her sidekick who is just downright annoying, it doesn't set a good precedent.
Thanks to Cozy Mystery Revie for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to Cozy Mystery Revie for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
jillianwilliams05's review
3.0
*2.5
This book was very disappointing. When something is called death on high tide, I expect there to be death. However, I was over half way through before the first person was murdered. The exposition just dragged on and I felt like the characters weren’t very realistic with their dialogue and actions. Also, I’m a sucker for a classic Agatha Christie reveal and, while I didn’t guess the plot twist, I found the reveal to be boring and it wasn’t shocking at all. Overall, this was poorly executed.
This book was very disappointing. When something is called death on high tide, I expect there to be death. However, I was over half way through before the first person was murdered. The exposition just dragged on and I felt like the characters weren’t very realistic with their dialogue and actions. Also, I’m a sucker for a classic Agatha Christie reveal and, while I didn’t guess the plot twist, I found the reveal to be boring and it wasn’t shocking at all. Overall, this was poorly executed.
annarella's review
4.0
A fast paced and highly entertaining cozy mystery, the excellent start of a new series.
I loved the quirky and well thought characters, the setting and the solid mystery, full of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment, highly recommended.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the quirky and well thought characters, the setting and the solid mystery, full of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment, highly recommended.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
shomarq's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
deborahs's review
3.0
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The first in a proposed series, there's a lot going on in this mystery. I enjoyed it, but it's hard to explain why.
First, there's the sisters' relationship. The narrator Evie hasn't seen her older sister much since Margot moved to California and it's obvious they are keeping secrets from each other. It's also obvious that Margot doesn't seem to realize that the truth is the best thing to tell the police in a murder investigation unless one wants to become a prime suspect. Also, enough of the name dropping and clothing brands!
Other than the police officer who stands out because she seems to know her job, the rest of the cast of characters are very much types. The unhappy wife, the ex-con with issues, the good looking son who doesn't want to take over the family business, nosy old lady...all were annoying.
After all that, the ending worked for me, mostly, which is why I will probably read the next in this series.
The first in a proposed series, there's a lot going on in this mystery. I enjoyed it, but it's hard to explain why.
First, there's the sisters' relationship. The narrator Evie hasn't seen her older sister much since Margot moved to California and it's obvious they are keeping secrets from each other. It's also obvious that Margot doesn't seem to realize that the truth is the best thing to tell the police in a murder investigation unless one wants to become a prime suspect. Also, enough of the name dropping and clothing brands!
Other than the police officer who stands out because she seems to know her job, the rest of the cast of characters are very much types. The unhappy wife, the ex-con with issues, the good looking son who doesn't want to take over the family business, nosy old lady...all were annoying.
After all that, the ending worked for me, mostly, which is why I will probably read the next in this series.