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meeghanreads's review against another edition
1.0
Charlaine Harris, most notably known for writing the Southern Vampire series (which was then turned into the TV show True Blood) commenced writing the Aurora Teagarden mysteries in 1990, and published the eighth (and last at that time) in 2003. Fast forward 13 years and she has written and published book nine in the set.
Aurora Teagarden is a librarian turned sleuth, and is up to her 4'11" (5'0" on a good day) height in trouble. I like most of Harris' characters, each for different reasons, but Aurora's love of books has always appealed to me.
As this story commences, Aurora (Roe) has married her second husband of the series, and her and Robin are expecting their first child. Roe is worried as she is an older first-time mother (at the age of 37), and so her and Robin are being careful before they announce anything. Phillip, Roe's half-brother (aged 15) is also living with them as he ran away from his parents - their gambling, philandering father, Phil, and Phillip's mum Betty Jo. Phillip has just started to fit in and make friends in town when he and said friends all go missing. Things go from bad to worse when a teenage body turns up, and another commits suicide.
I had always thought of Harris as a solid writer, but there was something about this books that just set me on edge. It could have been that I have been reading such stellar writing all this year up to now, but this book seemed like a half-assed effort to appease Harris' readers who asked for more Aurora stories.
The writing was childish and immature, and the storyline was under-developed. The ending was bordering on the ridiculous and felt rushed. I've only made that complaint a few other times, but Harris' final book in the Harper Connelly series had that same 'crammed' feeling - like she was trying to tie up everything in a neat bow too quickly and forgot about attempting to have the story make sense.
The characters also felt a bit flat - it could be that it's been a long time between books, but it was nearly two decades between readings of the Obernewtyn series, so I can't help but think that time is not the real reason here. Also, there is something about Robin that I just don't like or trust. I kept waiting for Roe's new hubby to be the kidnapper (even though I knew that wasn't the case). In fact the book would have been just the same without him in it - he literally made no difference to the overall plot.
I kept hanging on, even as the number of pages quickly diminished, that the old Aurora from my memory would come back and start puzzling to figure it out. Librarian-turned-sleuth is what she is supposed to be - but it felt like she was too wrapped up in her own pregnancy (or dazed? I'm not sure), then right at the end she took a random pot shot of a guess and it miraculously all worked out for them. Not my kind of mystery - sorry Charlaine.
Harris' other most recent novels are the Midnight trilogy, and I loved those. This just didn't have the same spark. It felt like I was reading a poorly written episode of Pretty Little Liars with more aged characters in it, as if it was focused on the parents instead of the teens.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed in this book, and (like HPatCC) I kind of wish that Harris had left well enough alone.
♥ ♥ - 2/10 hearts
Aurora Teagarden is a librarian turned sleuth, and is up to her 4'11" (5'0" on a good day) height in trouble. I like most of Harris' characters, each for different reasons, but Aurora's love of books has always appealed to me.
As this story commences, Aurora (Roe) has married her second husband of the series, and her and Robin are expecting their first child. Roe is worried as she is an older first-time mother (at the age of 37), and so her and Robin are being careful before they announce anything. Phillip, Roe's half-brother (aged 15) is also living with them as he ran away from his parents - their gambling, philandering father, Phil, and Phillip's mum Betty Jo. Phillip has just started to fit in and make friends in town when he and said friends all go missing. Things go from bad to worse when a teenage body turns up, and another commits suicide.
I had always thought of Harris as a solid writer, but there was something about this books that just set me on edge. It could have been that I have been reading such stellar writing all this year up to now, but this book seemed like a half-assed effort to appease Harris' readers who asked for more Aurora stories.
The writing was childish and immature, and the storyline was under-developed. The ending was bordering on the ridiculous and felt rushed. I've only made that complaint a few other times, but Harris' final book in the Harper Connelly series had that same 'crammed' feeling - like she was trying to tie up everything in a neat bow too quickly and forgot about attempting to have the story make sense.
The characters also felt a bit flat - it could be that it's been a long time between books, but it was nearly two decades between readings of the Obernewtyn series, so I can't help but think that time is not the real reason here. Also, there is something about Robin that I just don't like or trust. I kept waiting for Roe's new hubby to be the kidnapper (even though I knew that wasn't the case). In fact the book would have been just the same without him in it - he literally made no difference to the overall plot.
I kept hanging on, even as the number of pages quickly diminished, that the old Aurora from my memory would come back and start puzzling to figure it out. Librarian-turned-sleuth is what she is supposed to be - but it felt like she was too wrapped up in her own pregnancy (or dazed? I'm not sure), then right at the end she took a random pot shot of a guess and it miraculously all worked out for them. Not my kind of mystery - sorry Charlaine.
Harris' other most recent novels are the Midnight trilogy, and I loved those. This just didn't have the same spark. It felt like I was reading a poorly written episode of Pretty Little Liars with more aged characters in it, as if it was focused on the parents instead of the teens.
To be honest, I was pretty disappointed in this book, and (like HPatCC) I kind of wish that Harris had left well enough alone.
♥ ♥ - 2/10 hearts
ipomoea's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not much of a mystery fan, but I devoured Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries. So when I found out about these decidedly un-supernatural cozy mysteries, I had to give them a try. The Aurora Teagarden books aren't High Art, but they are fun, sweet little things that I can gobble up in a couple late nights and feel fine afterwards. I've skipped around in the series over the years and I can mostly keep the characters' histories straight and if I can't, they generally aren't essential to the plot.
In this, Aurora's in the midst of some upheaval in her life-- she's recently married, her teenage half-brother has moved in with her, and she's even more recently pregnant. Her brother is settling into the rhythms of small town teenage life, and Roe is getting used to her upcoming arrival, when her brother doesn't come home one day... and neither do almost half a dozen other teens. As Roe tries to locate her brother, a body turns up, and almost as bad, so does her deadbeat father from California, ready to raise hell in her life and make a scene over the son he didn't miss that badly.
I'm not very good at solving mysteries, but at 80% I had this figured out. The characters and the rhythm of small town life are interesting, but there's a social media/bullying subplot that's awkwardly horned in and it sort of threw me off. That said, this was still fun and a nice gateway into mystery for folks who prefer their books with sulky civil war vampires.
I'm not much of a mystery fan, but I devoured Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries. So when I found out about these decidedly un-supernatural cozy mysteries, I had to give them a try. The Aurora Teagarden books aren't High Art, but they are fun, sweet little things that I can gobble up in a couple late nights and feel fine afterwards. I've skipped around in the series over the years and I can mostly keep the characters' histories straight and if I can't, they generally aren't essential to the plot.
In this, Aurora's in the midst of some upheaval in her life-- she's recently married, her teenage half-brother has moved in with her, and she's even more recently pregnant. Her brother is settling into the rhythms of small town teenage life, and Roe is getting used to her upcoming arrival, when her brother doesn't come home one day... and neither do almost half a dozen other teens. As Roe tries to locate her brother, a body turns up, and almost as bad, so does her deadbeat father from California, ready to raise hell in her life and make a scene over the son he didn't miss that badly.
I'm not very good at solving mysteries, but at 80% I had this figured out. The characters and the rhythm of small town life are interesting, but there's a social media/bullying subplot that's awkwardly horned in and it sort of threw me off. That said, this was still fun and a nice gateway into mystery for folks who prefer their books with sulky civil war vampires.
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
4.0
I was so happy to see another Aurora Teagarden book. I’ve been enjoying the movies on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and the only thing better than them is a new book!
Because of the missing teens, a lot was revealed about people in Aurora’s life. Digging up all of the dirt didn’t necessarily lead to finding them, however. The mystery was a complicated one and I enjoyed unraveling what happened. Seeing changes in Aurora’s life, like being pregnant and married to Robin was fun as well. I hope to see more Aurora Teagarden books and movies in the future!
Because of the missing teens, a lot was revealed about people in Aurora’s life. Digging up all of the dirt didn’t necessarily lead to finding them, however. The mystery was a complicated one and I enjoyed unraveling what happened. Seeing changes in Aurora’s life, like being pregnant and married to Robin was fun as well. I hope to see more Aurora Teagarden books and movies in the future!
lazwright's review against another edition
3.0
Aurora is definitely a bit more likeable in this installment of the series. The plot was predictable, but still an enjoyable read, despite the "teen angst and drama".
zermeena's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book more on the reread. The first time I read it, it had not been edited properly. There was still some weirdness because of the jump in time. Harris chose to bring the story into the present day without aging the characters. She also seemed to have forgotten that Aurora's sister-in-law, Poppy, had been murdered recently.
elfington's review against another edition
2.0
Yeah, no. I like this series, but not this entry. The tone is just off for the whole book - there are some pretty harrowing events going on directly affecting Aurora, but the tone is so removed and scooby-doo-ish let's solve the mystery, that the crime and Aurora's reaction never seem to fit.
oblivious_girl's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jtferdon's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars I was happy to see a new release in this fun cozy mystery series. It wasn't my favorite in the series but it was enjoyable to be back in Lawrenceton with Aurora Teegarden.