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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
YOU GUYS. This has been my favourite Murder Most Unladylike Mystery yet! I love the setting, and this ending was one I particularly liked.
This was the first time where I guessed a few things correctly before Daisy and Hazel figured them out, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book at all!
I know this was based on / inspired by Agatha Christie's [b:Murder on the Orient Express|853510|Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, #10)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486131451s/853510.jpg|2285570], and, because I've seen the movie and know the story, I was worried that it would spoil aspects of this book. Thankfully, it didn't, and I could appreciate the little tributes it paid to Agatha Christie's work.
I can't wait to read the next one!
This was the first time where I guessed a few things correctly before Daisy and Hazel figured them out, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book at all!
I know this was based on / inspired by Agatha Christie's [b:Murder on the Orient Express|853510|Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, #10)|Agatha Christie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486131451s/853510.jpg|2285570], and, because I've seen the movie and know the story, I was worried that it would spoil aspects of this book. Thankfully, it didn't, and I could appreciate the little tributes it paid to Agatha Christie's work.
I can't wait to read the next one!
This series is fantastic. I love how there are constant nods to classic murder mysteries and that young readers are therefore encouraged to move onto these when they're older. It's great to see Hazel and Daisy in another location - on the Orient Express, no less - and to see their relationship and their characters continue to grow and develop. There will be a longer review in time; for now, just this: read it, or go back to the start of the series (Murder Most Unladylike) if this is the first you've heard of them.
Yet another cute adventure with Daisy and Hazel. This is the first one I've managed to outsmart them both and figure out the clues they were missing, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. On to book 4!
First Class Murder: first class book. Adorable homage to Christie, with a few nods to the spies of pre-war Europe, this takes the redoubtable and dauntless Detective Club on the Orient Express. A cast of shifty and distinctive characters climb aboard the carriage with our heroes, providing a juicy set of suspects and motives and mysteries for Wells and Wong to sort through when one of them gets gruesomely murdered. One problem is that they aren't the only amateur detectives who think they can sort things out on board.
I think more advanced readers will spot the solution to the fiendish puzzle, but the fun lies in watching Daisy and Hazel investigate despite irritating and intractable opposition by grown-ups. When the journey is over, villains unmasked, red-herrings set free and justice is done, one is left eagerly anticipating whatever is next in store for the Detective Society.
I think more advanced readers will spot the solution to the fiendish puzzle, but the fun lies in watching Daisy and Hazel investigate despite irritating and intractable opposition by grown-ups. When the journey is over, villains unmasked, red-herrings set free and justice is done, one is left eagerly anticipating whatever is next in store for the Detective Society.
4.5 probably
This is my favourite of the series so far! This series can’t seem to go wrong for me.
I think this is probably the best mystery plotline so far, there were so many compelling suspects and I theorised about all of them at some point. I’m very impressed that a middle-grade mystery could be so well written! Robin Stevens doesn’t dumb down the plot to suit a younger audience, but rather just explains what’s happening a bit clearer.
Daisy and Hazel are such brilliant characters I love them so much for completely different reasons. Daisy verges of arrogant but she has her vulnerable moments and ultimately she is a very good friend with brilliant detection skills. Hazel is so kind and is more sensitive. She thinks things through a bit more and I feel like she came into her own and grew in confidence so much in this book.
Another thing I really appreciate about this series is that it doesn’t shy away from more difficult topics. Hazel is constantly being singled out for her race and the discussion of racism in this time period (which is still applicable to today) is so important. Having a Chinese protagonist in a middle-grade book will open up so many younger readers to the experiences of a minority group. This is extremely positive. Another thing brought up in this book was the impending feeling as World War II approaches. One of the side characters in this book is smuggling forged birth certificates across the border in order to deliver his Jewish friends to freedom. Robin Stevens brings up such valuable and mature conversation.
I’m so impressed with this series. This is a middle grade worth reading.
READ IT.
This is my favourite of the series so far! This series can’t seem to go wrong for me.
I think this is probably the best mystery plotline so far, there were so many compelling suspects and I theorised about all of them at some point. I’m very impressed that a middle-grade mystery could be so well written! Robin Stevens doesn’t dumb down the plot to suit a younger audience, but rather just explains what’s happening a bit clearer.
Daisy and Hazel are such brilliant characters I love them so much for completely different reasons. Daisy verges of arrogant but she has her vulnerable moments and ultimately she is a very good friend with brilliant detection skills. Hazel is so kind and is more sensitive. She thinks things through a bit more and I feel like she came into her own and grew in confidence so much in this book.
Another thing I really appreciate about this series is that it doesn’t shy away from more difficult topics. Hazel is constantly being singled out for her race and the discussion of racism in this time period (which is still applicable to today) is so important. Having a Chinese protagonist in a middle-grade book will open up so many younger readers to the experiences of a minority group. This is extremely positive. Another thing brought up in this book was the impending feeling as World War II approaches. One of the side characters in this book is smuggling forged birth certificates across the border in order to deliver his Jewish friends to freedom. Robin Stevens brings up such valuable and mature conversation.
I’m so impressed with this series. This is a middle grade worth reading.
READ IT.
The next installment in the Murder Most Unladylike series, this one follows Hazel & Daisy onto the Orient Express!! I'm not a huge Agatha Christie fan, or a huge fan of mysteries in general, so maybe I missed some references to Murder on the Orient Express, but I really loved this nonetheless.
Hazel & Daisy continue to be great protagonists, growing from one book to the next and dealing with their previous experiences. They’re learning to manage their fears and their feelings as they are once more confronted with death, violence and danger. Hazel is also forced to reassess her own moral compass when she had to lie to her father in order to continue her investigation.
And Hazel's Dad, he was just wonderful! From the quiet dignity with which he bears the era's casual racism to his obvious care for his daughter and his respect for her intellect and character. It was great to see on the page, and he is now up there with Keith Mars as one of my favourite fictional Dads.
Hazel & Daisy continue to be great protagonists, growing from one book to the next and dealing with their previous experiences. They’re learning to manage their fears and their feelings as they are once more confronted with death, violence and danger. Hazel is also forced to reassess her own moral compass when she had to lie to her father in order to continue her investigation.
And Hazel's Dad, he was just wonderful! From the quiet dignity with which he bears the era's casual racism to his obvious care for his daughter and his respect for her intellect and character. It was great to see on the page, and he is now up there with Keith Mars as one of my favourite fictional Dads.
Read- February 2020
- I knew that one of these books would end up being 5 stars and I can imagine every book from now will be a 5 star. I can also imagine that during my re-read of this series the first two books will also be 5 stars. Hoping to jump straight into the next book.
- I knew that one of these books would end up being 5 stars and I can imagine every book from now will be a 5 star. I can also imagine that during my re-read of this series the first two books will also be 5 stars. Hoping to jump straight into the next book.