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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I don't know where I got this, it must have been somewhere, but I was given the advice to, every now and again, pick up a book you would not normally read. This was my pick for this year, a mystery/crime thriller, not a genre I've ever really read before. So, I'm not sure how it holds up to other mystery thrillers, but it was an enjoyable read. I actually found it a pretty relaxing read. It didn't have me wanting to desperately read the next chapter, dying to find out what happens next, which it was probably meant to with the way each chapter would end on precarious cliff, and it didn't really have me thinking about it when I put the book down and did something else.
For me, the book was chill, in comparison to other things I've read that have left me devastated after every chapter. The twists and turns were kind of predictable, sorry to say, but I think that's what made this book such a relaxed read, and I didn't know how much I needed a relaxed read.
For me, the book was chill, in comparison to other things I've read that have left me devastated after every chapter. The twists and turns were kind of predictable, sorry to say, but I think that's what made this book such a relaxed read, and I didn't know how much I needed a relaxed read.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At first I hated this book, it was really pervy and like I hated the whole stalking/ following bit that happened in the first half of the book. However, once it got more into an actual murder mystery I really started to enjoy it which I think saved the story. I'm excited to see where this story is going to go and how the quirky main character is going to continue being in the midst of murders.
The Women in the Garden got off to a slow start but eventually picked up speed. By the end, I was a fan.
Professor Eustacia Rose has a garden of poisonous plants. She’s also infatuated with her neighbor whom she is spying on. When a series of disturbing events occur, her life is thrown into a tailspin. First her garden is vandalized and poisonous plants are stolen. Then she sees the neighbor abducted by a man on the street. When a man Eustacia used to know is murdered by poison, Eustacia finds herself as the prime suspect.
I found the beginning of this book uneventful and hard to get into. The book eventually took a gratifying turn and held my interest from that point on. I enjoyed the mystery and twists. The main character grew on me and I felt my annoyance with her disappear. I would definitely read the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author, Jill Johnson, for this DRC in exchange for my honest review.
Professor Eustacia Rose has a garden of poisonous plants. She’s also infatuated with her neighbor whom she is spying on. When a series of disturbing events occur, her life is thrown into a tailspin. First her garden is vandalized and poisonous plants are stolen. Then she sees the neighbor abducted by a man on the street. When a man Eustacia used to know is murdered by poison, Eustacia finds herself as the prime suspect.
I found the beginning of this book uneventful and hard to get into. The book eventually took a gratifying turn and held my interest from that point on. I enjoyed the mystery and twists. The main character grew on me and I felt my annoyance with her disappear. I would definitely read the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author, Jill Johnson, for this DRC in exchange for my honest review.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
A very enjoyable thriller. A different take with the poisonous garden, interesting in reading about all the toxins and risks. The Professor seems to be over obsessed by it all, but then this is her field of expertise.
At first I felt the voice of the narrator (Professor Eustacia Rose) was a bit frantic, but I think this suited the story, and possibly the thought process of the character. I also felt that this was a good example of the unreliable narrator, there were often times when parts of history were dangled before us to intrigue, mislead, make you want to read more. There are some unbelievable aspects, but that’s all part of the experience.
Already reserved the next instalment at the library, looking forward to explore more.
At first I felt the voice of the narrator (Professor Eustacia Rose) was a bit frantic, but I think this suited the story, and possibly the thought process of the character. I also felt that this was a good example of the unreliable narrator, there were often times when parts of history were dangled before us to intrigue, mislead, make you want to read more. There are some unbelievable aspects, but that’s all part of the experience.
Already reserved the next instalment at the library, looking forward to explore more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
I originally rated this 3⭐️ but on reflection I had to put it down to 2⭐️
This book started off really strong for me and I was so interested to see how it progressed- but ultimately by the halfway point I wasn’t enjoying it anymore.
The ending feels really rushed, and there isn’t really a conclusion to the “mystery”. Although I usually enjoy books where the answer to the mystery is left to interpretation, it fell flat here and just felt a bit lazy.
I was so disappointed that Eustacia was never held accountable for her actions - she stalked people! The whole reason she was involved in the ‘mystery’ to begin with was because she was a habitual voyeur, using a telescope to spy on all her neighbours and keep records of their activities.(And in the search of her flat the police never found or commented on the records she was keeping? So much of this plot just doesn’t make logical sense)
In the final passages Eustacia (and many other characters) seem to be getting a “happy ever after” ending which also didn’t fit with the rest of the book for me. Not to mention how Eustacia was suddenly able to slot back into a ‘normal’ life and no longer seemed to lack social skills. Overall I felt disappointed in how this book turned out, as the opening chapters had so much potential.
This book started off really strong for me and I was so interested to see how it progressed- but ultimately by the halfway point I wasn’t enjoying it anymore.
The ending feels really rushed, and there isn’t really a conclusion to the “mystery”. Although I usually enjoy books where the answer to the mystery is left to interpretation, it fell flat here and just felt a bit lazy.
I was so disappointed that Eustacia was never held accountable for her actions - she stalked people! The whole reason she was involved in the ‘mystery’ to begin with was because she was a habitual voyeur, using a telescope to spy on all her neighbours and keep records of their activities.(And in the search of her flat the police never found or commented on the records she was keeping? So much of this plot just doesn’t make logical sense)
In the final passages Eustacia (and many other characters) seem to be getting a “happy ever after” ending which also didn’t fit with the rest of the book for me. Not to mention how Eustacia was suddenly able to slot back into a ‘normal’ life and no longer seemed to lack social skills. Overall I felt disappointed in how this book turned out, as the opening chapters had so much potential.