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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the narrator. I think I’d listen to anything she narrates. I love the interplay between Beryl and Edwina. The mystery was fun. Great cozy read
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars. I was having trouble keeping track of all the characters and their comings and goings, as well as their motivations, but I liked the way the author wound it up. The narration by Barbara Rosenblatt, as always, was great, although it took me a while to get used to Beryl (the American) sounding exactly like Elizabeth Peters' Vicky Bliss.
P.S. I do wish that someone would tell the author and publisher that "adventuress" is not just the feminine form of "adventurer." Admittedly, dictionary.com does give that as the secondary definition, but the primary one is "a woman who schemes to win social position, wealth, etc., by unscrupulous or questionable means," with much more unsavory connotations and nothing to do with adventuring in the sense we usually think of it at all.
P.S. I do wish that someone would tell the author and publisher that "adventuress" is not just the feminine form of "adventurer." Admittedly, dictionary.com does give that as the secondary definition, but the primary one is "a woman who schemes to win social position, wealth, etc., by unscrupulous or questionable means," with much more unsavory connotations and nothing to do with adventuring in the sense we usually think of it at all.
2.5*. Too long, but the cozy mystery quality is very nicely present here. The two main characters are charming and infuriating at the same time, but in very believable ways - the both feel very human.
There are interesting historical facts and very well constructed period reality, which I really appreciated, even if the time period is rather glum.
The close-mindedness and gossiping nature of the villagers was well highlighted and also believable. I was less there for the mystery and more so for the atmosphere of the village and the period details.
There are interesting historical facts and very well constructed period reality, which I really appreciated, even if the time period is rather glum.
The close-mindedness and gossiping nature of the villagers was well highlighted and also believable. I was less there for the mystery and more so for the atmosphere of the village and the period details.
Funny and lovely mystery. A very enjoyable duo of senior sleuths, the flamboyant Beryl and the sensible and mousy Edwina investigates together.
The duo is absolutely fantastic as well as the cast of characters. The historical setting, England post WWI, is well researched and the cast of characters is well developed. The book is really well written.
The book is very likable and I look forward to read the next instalment.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to review this book.
The duo is absolutely fantastic as well as the cast of characters. The historical setting, England post WWI, is well researched and the cast of characters is well developed. The book is really well written.
The book is very likable and I look forward to read the next instalment.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to review this book.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
This was very good! I did see it in a sale at Audible but did not get it. Then I got it through my other channel at Audiobooks.com and I am so glad I did!
I have listened to a cozy mystery with a similar setup that was ok, but not as engaging as this one. The mystery plot was really good, and the narrator gave everybody such distinct voices.
While you get a clear feel for the hardships the villagers suffered because of the war, the friendship between the two ladies gives the story so much warmth.
What was really exceptional for a historical mystery to me was that there is nothing in here I had to gloss over because of problematic content. The issues are all on the page and directly addressed by the protagonists. I found the gender relations especially interesting, as both heroines (who are elderly ladies with very different backgrounds) do chafe explicitly at the way they are treated and addressed by men. It was very refreshing, without ever being in danger of feeling out of time.
I have listened to a cozy mystery with a similar setup that was ok, but not as engaging as this one. The mystery plot was really good, and the narrator gave everybody such distinct voices.
While you get a clear feel for the hardships the villagers suffered because of the war, the friendship between the two ladies gives the story so much warmth.
What was really exceptional for a historical mystery to me was that there is nothing in here I had to gloss over because of problematic content. The issues are all on the page and directly addressed by the protagonists. I found the gender relations especially interesting, as both heroines (who are elderly ladies with very different backgrounds) do chafe explicitly at the way they are treated and addressed by men. It was very refreshing, without ever being in danger of feeling out of time.
3.5
I liked it! I want to read more!
〰
In post-WWI England, American adventuress Beryl happens upon an advertisement offering a room for rent. The ad's author is none other than her old school friend, Edwina. Taking it as a sign from above, Beryl sets out for Walmsley Parva to rent that room.
〰
Since the war, Edwina's fallen on hard times, but Beryl's got enough money to handle debts and then some, and she's bursting with energy that Edwina hadn't had for a while.
〰
Okay, so there's a murder, and a cold case, and both are solved, and neither are particularly original, but that's fine. Because what I liked about this book is that there are two past-their-prime ladies teaming up to solve crimes and I am HERE for it.
〰
Like Beryl, I tend to be the one in my friend group to propose adventures. And like Edwina, my best friends agree with some misgivings but get caught up in the excitement--because there's always excitement. I like Beryl and Edwina's friendship and how they support each other without being overbearing. I'm ready for more books in this series!
I liked it! I want to read more!
〰
In post-WWI England, American adventuress Beryl happens upon an advertisement offering a room for rent. The ad's author is none other than her old school friend, Edwina. Taking it as a sign from above, Beryl sets out for Walmsley Parva to rent that room.
〰
Since the war, Edwina's fallen on hard times, but Beryl's got enough money to handle debts and then some, and she's bursting with energy that Edwina hadn't had for a while.
〰
Okay, so there's a murder, and a cold case, and both are solved, and neither are particularly original, but that's fine. Because what I liked about this book is that there are two past-their-prime ladies teaming up to solve crimes and I am HERE for it.
〰
Like Beryl, I tend to be the one in my friend group to propose adventures. And like Edwina, my best friends agree with some misgivings but get caught up in the excitement--because there's always excitement. I like Beryl and Edwina's friendship and how they support each other without being overbearing. I'm ready for more books in this series!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
This was a new series that I randomly discovered on Audible, and I really enjoy it!! I like these two as friends - they're so different, but I kind of love that about them. And I like that they don't really know what they're doing, but somehow, they're solving a murder mystery. The other characters in the village are fascinating, too. Definitely looking forward to reading (listening to) more of this series!
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced