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almondcookies's review
2.0
Between [b:Opium and Absinthe|48671529|Opium and Absinthe|Lydia Kang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578754339l/48671529._SX50_.jpg|66269138] and [b:The Impossible Girl|39344110|The Impossible Girl|Lydia Kang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528779910l/39344110._SX50_.jpg|60991910], A Beautiful Poison is probably my least favourite of Kang's novels. They are all 'who done it' novels that take place in different settings and time periods, but all three have the same two elements:
- Someone gets murdered
- A chemical compound is involved.
In this case, many someones got murdered and there was less of an emphasis on the chemistry and more of an emphasis on post-morteming the body for clues. The characters all weave together like a mismatched tapestry and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about that.
Tldc: some suspenseful elements but I didn't feel much of anything.
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Pre read:
I have dubbed this my exercise book.
Only when I get on the treadmill, am I allowed to read this. Lets see how many months it takes me to finish this book.
- Someone gets murdered
- A chemical compound is involved.
In this case, many someones got murdered and there was less of an emphasis on the chemistry and more of an emphasis on post-morteming the body for clues. The characters all weave together like a mismatched tapestry and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about that.
Tldc: some suspenseful elements but I didn't feel much of anything.
-------------
Pre read:
I have dubbed this my exercise book.
Only when I get on the treadmill, am I allowed to read this. Lets see how many months it takes me to finish this book.
marieintheraw's review
2.0
a bit of the writing, but also probably not the best time to read this one?
lulo49's review
2.0
I don't like when an author, with every line a character speaks, feels the need to describe in great detail exactly what the character is thinking, and/or reiterating obvious points about the character made earlier. Give the reader some credit -- I can retain what you've told me before and don't need it reaffimed every other page! I got so tired of this filler that after awhile I just skimmed through reading only dialogue and skipping over unnecessary detail following that dialogue. Why didn't I just stop reading? I hate to stop reading a book especially if I'm interested in seeing how the mystery is resolved. However, the ending was as unsatisfying as the filler fluff. Don't waste your time on this one.
dlobby's review
4.0
A good read
This book took me a while to get into but then I really enjoyed it. I really like the WW1 era setting and enjoyed the connections with real events like the flu epidemic.
This book took me a while to get into but then I really enjoyed it. I really like the WW1 era setting and enjoyed the connections with real events like the flu epidemic.
spacebras's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Nebraska Library Commission Book Club Spotlight - March 11th, 2024
In the upper echelon of 1918 New York City, everyone has secrets. In a society stuck between the Gilded Age and the Jazz Age, Americans are gripped by war, and the looming influenza outbreak, while Allene is chasing after her past. A past where she, Jasper, and Birdie were together. And finally, when they are all together again, Florence Waxworth gets herself poisoned in the middle of Allene’s engagement party! As the murdered bodies continue to fall around them, their hot-headed group is the only one who can solve the mystery. Torn apart by their whims and desires, the trio must face the influenza, a killer, and each other to make it out alive.
In the upper echelon of 1918 New York City, everyone has secrets. In a society stuck between the Gilded Age and the Jazz Age, Americans are gripped by war, and the looming influenza outbreak, while Allene is chasing after her past. A past where she, Jasper, and Birdie were together. And finally, when they are all together again, Florence Waxworth gets herself poisoned in the middle of Allene’s engagement party! As the murdered bodies continue to fall around them, their hot-headed group is the only one who can solve the mystery. Torn apart by their whims and desires, the trio must face the influenza, a killer, and each other to make it out alive.
“It was a fresh new day, served with a glorious sunrise and of course Florence’s untimely death to solve.”
- LYDIA KANG
For mature teens or adult book club groups looking for fast-paced mysteries to keep you on your toes, and mixed with the incredible setting, A Beautiful Poison is a joy to experience and try to solve alongside the characters. As a former resident and student, Kang’s heart shows when describing New York City and specifically Bellevue Hospital, which features heavily in the novel and includes the real pioneers of forensic medicine as integral figures in solving the medical mystery. The characters of Allene, Jasper, and Birdie are complicated and compelling, as they try to mend a friendship and deep love that may be too far gone.
debtat2's review
5.0
1918 New York and the city is struggling with the spread of the Spanish Influenza epidemic as well as WWI.
3 friends Birdie, Alene and Jasper are reunited at an engagement party only the party doesn't end how they expected when someone drops dead from poisoning.
This is a story about the friendship as well as a murder mystery, wonderfully full of twists and turns.
Just when you think you have it solved it changes. There are also many intriguing subplots that make you question if you have worked it out or not!
The details of Spanish flu which was a devastating, worldwide epidemic that killed .millions of people are really well written and you can tell that a lot of research has been put into this book. I also found it to be cleverly educational, I learned things about chemistry, clocks, poison, as well as the influenza.
I managed to plough through the book in just one sitting as it is so well written the pages soon fly by but I only guessed one of the "puzzles" and was totally surprised at the end, the twist was impossible to guess!
Wonderful book and i can't wait to read more from Lydia Kang
3 friends Birdie, Alene and Jasper are reunited at an engagement party only the party doesn't end how they expected when someone drops dead from poisoning.
This is a story about the friendship as well as a murder mystery, wonderfully full of twists and turns.
Just when you think you have it solved it changes. There are also many intriguing subplots that make you question if you have worked it out or not!
The details of Spanish flu which was a devastating, worldwide epidemic that killed .millions of people are really well written and you can tell that a lot of research has been put into this book. I also found it to be cleverly educational, I learned things about chemistry, clocks, poison, as well as the influenza.
I managed to plough through the book in just one sitting as it is so well written the pages soon fly by but I only guessed one of the "puzzles" and was totally surprised at the end, the twist was impossible to guess!
Wonderful book and i can't wait to read more from Lydia Kang
kethyar's review
2.0
Unlikable characters. I really had very little sympathy when people started dying. They managed to screw up just about everything. If there was any redemption, I just didn't really care that much, since they were all such shits. I was more just waiting for the book to be over more than anything.
svnz's review
5.0
4.5 stars.
Great mystery/historical fiction blend! It kept me guessing right up till the end which is probably the best compliment I can give such a book. I look forward to reading more from the author; I like her writing style.
The only reason this isn't a 5 stars for me is because I listened to the audio version and while the narration was mostly fantastic the voices of the male characters sounded too similar to be perfect.
Great mystery/historical fiction blend! It kept me guessing right up till the end which is probably the best compliment I can give such a book. I look forward to reading more from the author; I like her writing style.
The only reason this isn't a 5 stars for me is because I listened to the audio version and while the narration was mostly fantastic the voices of the male characters sounded too similar to be perfect.