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kimswhims's review against another edition
4.0
The Nancys is a very entertaining light read.
It is probably more of a 3.7, bumped it up to a 4 even though there are many other 4s on my list that I would rate higher than this.
Still, it's unlike anything else I've read before.
Not many novels are set in a small country town in present day NZ, where two gay men sashay in from Sydney to look after their delightful 11 year old niece, while their Mother takes a much needed break on a cruise.
Told from Tippy Chan's POV. She's the 11 year old niece, been through a bit recently with the death of her beloved Dad.
Tippy and her hilarious camp Uncles form an amateur detective club, The Nancys, and start on on a local murder-mystery investigation, Nancy Drew style. Much hilarity ensues with gay innuendo flung about all over the place.
Yep, a terrific read, hope to see much more of it from this Author.
This work was highly commended in the 2019 unpublished manuscript award at the prestigious Victorian Premiers Award, Australia.
It is probably more of a 3.7, bumped it up to a 4 even though there are many other 4s on my list that I would rate higher than this.
Still, it's unlike anything else I've read before.
Not many novels are set in a small country town in present day NZ, where two gay men sashay in from Sydney to look after their delightful 11 year old niece, while their Mother takes a much needed break on a cruise.
Told from Tippy Chan's POV. She's the 11 year old niece, been through a bit recently with the death of her beloved Dad.
Tippy and her hilarious camp Uncles form an amateur detective club, The Nancys, and start on on a local murder-mystery investigation, Nancy Drew style. Much hilarity ensues with gay innuendo flung about all over the place.
Yep, a terrific read, hope to see much more of it from this Author.
This work was highly commended in the 2019 unpublished manuscript award at the prestigious Victorian Premiers Award, Australia.
hbreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jessreadsmore's review against another edition
2.0
Slow to start and didn’t keep me interested with the family side of things.
imogen_eliza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lozbenn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
arianna_lacchini's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
e11en's review against another edition
4.0
This was delightfully fun, well-paced and unpredictable enough to remain interesting. The innuendo and banter largely eluding the (child) narrator was very funny. Although there are some deeper themes explored (like grief and belonging), it remains light enough to feel breezy. And in my head I read the whole thing in a Kiwi accent.
carleesi's review against another edition
2.5
I don’t read a lot of mystery but I do read a lot of gender theory and hoo boy did this book have some tropes. Having all of the evidence point to a man, an ex-lover no less only to be like “ACTUALLY it was the jealous wife!!!” is not a twist and is actually just leaning on tired and sexist stereotypes. The reason it’s boring for the man to be the killer is because in real life that is who it would be! But using this reality as a way to include a “twist” in a story is dangerous as it perpetuates people doubting and questioning male violence and the trope of the beautiful deadly woman
I’m disappointed because I loved the characters and the writing, but I don’t think I’d read anything from this author again.
I’m disappointed because I loved the characters and the writing, but I don’t think I’d read anything from this author again.
sirohub's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book was infuriating for the first half because the characters were so damn annoying (read as cliche gays). But I'll admit I enjoyed it a bit by the end.