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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
The Tradd Street books are secret pleasures of mine. Lately, though, they've been less pleasurable than earlier installments.
This fifth book in the series felt particularly irritating to me. Melanie is more insecure and OCD than ever and rather than calling her out on her behavior, most of the characters tiptoe around her. Or kiss her into submission. Or make passive-aggressive veiled remarks concerning her waistline.
Occasionally she'll be reprimanded (as if she were ten years old) about her lack of communication or her unwillingness to face things head on. The annoying thing is that most of the people who chastise her are actually doing the same things- there is a lot of ridiculous secret keeping and miscommunication going on in this novel. (Caution: you may experience some involuntary eye-rolling.)
The special "twist" in this installment had a strong soap opera feel to it. And I see the result (which I won't spoil here) just setting up Melanie for more angst-ridden insecurity for the future. Maybe I'll just skip the next volume.
No I won't. No matter how crazy Melanie drives me, I'm going to have to read the next one. I can't stop reading these things, no matter how ridiculous the plot and in spite of the high number of skeletal remains found at one residence. (Seriously, the house on Tradd Street is like a beacon to all murderers in Charleston- "put your dead bodies here!" And I'll keep reading about them like the book junkie I am.)
This fifth book in the series felt particularly irritating to me. Melanie is more insecure and OCD than ever and rather than calling her out on her behavior, most of the characters tiptoe around her. Or kiss her into submission. Or make passive-aggressive veiled remarks concerning her waistline.
Occasionally she'll be reprimanded (as if she were ten years old) about her lack of communication or her unwillingness to face things head on. The annoying thing is that most of the people who chastise her are actually doing the same things- there is a lot of ridiculous secret keeping and miscommunication going on in this novel. (Caution: you may experience some involuntary eye-rolling.)
The special "twist" in this installment had a strong soap opera feel to it. And I see the result (which I won't spoil here) just setting up Melanie for more angst-ridden insecurity for the future. Maybe I'll just skip the next volume.
No I won't. No matter how crazy Melanie drives me, I'm going to have to read the next one. I can't stop reading these things, no matter how ridiculous the plot and in spite of the high number of skeletal remains found at one residence. (Seriously, the house on Tradd Street is like a beacon to all murderers in Charleston- "put your dead bodies here!" And I'll keep reading about them like the book junkie I am.)
This book was sooo long to read… I could not get into it…. Also Melanie was so mehhhh this whole book and a shadow of herself
1/10 UGH! That was so hard to read! What an utter bunch of bullshit, honestly somebody must have hit Karen White repeatedly over the head and called her fat fat fat fat fat fat for her whole teen life in order for her to create a character like this and then there's discussion group questions at the end?? I think there's one book left I am going to read it just so I can exorcise this ghost hahaha
4.5. I deducted .5 because I thought Melanie was annoying more often than not. But still a great book in a great series.
I’m really enjoying this series but Melanie really got on my nerves in this book.
I really love this series and I really love the way Karen White is able to bring a new, fresh direction to these characters and their continuing story. Cannot wait for fall for the next installment.
To start, this is #5 in a seven book series, and reading them in order will help you get to know the characters and the back story.
This is a great story and a quick read, like all of White’s books. I stayed up late reading it last night and finished it when I woke up. I do have a few things worth mentioning:
We’re introduced to a few new characters. One is a family related to a young lady who died several years earlier. Though we are introduced to them and see them a few times, their story never wraps up. Maybe it will in the next two books of the series.
The other character introduced in this book is a nanny. She seems like a very good nanny and well-liked, but she’s introduced as a “certified professional nanny”. I’m a nanny myself, and many of the nannies I know consider ourselves professional nannies, but I don’t know if any certifications in the US, though many take various classes. Also, I hate that many novels that include nannies introduce the motif of a potential or real love interest between the dad and the nanny. This is not nearly as common as people think. Similarly, though a few characters suggest a relationship of this sort, it’s not discussed as often as maybe it should be between the relevant characters. Readers are told that an embrace is for comfort but not why the dad and the nanny spend so much time together - just friendship I guess?
Another family is discussed (the ghosts in the ghost story) and their relationship with the main characters. An incident happened many years earlier that likely has lead to trauma in the lives of a few of the characters. I hope that’s discussed more in the future books. Also, one of the dead is quickly forgiven for her involvement, but that seems like a stretch. There seems to be more to this story.
I do like that the babies, ages 10-12 months during this story (though it certainly seemed to take place over a longer time period than two months), actually have personalities and characters. They do seem very happy. How in the world did it take the others that long to figure out the words Sarah was making the letters say? It seemed obvious.
I’m amazed how many people seem to be pushing healthier food choices on Melanie. She seems destined to related trauma and maybe an eating disorder.
Again, I liked the book overall and do plan on reading more books by White. I’m looking forward to seeing how all their relationships grow and what’s next in their world.
This is a great story and a quick read, like all of White’s books. I stayed up late reading it last night and finished it when I woke up. I do have a few things worth mentioning:
We’re introduced to a few new characters. One is a family related to a young lady who died several years earlier. Though we are introduced to them and see them a few times, their story never wraps up. Maybe it will in the next two books of the series.
The other character introduced in this book is a nanny. She seems like a very good nanny and well-liked, but she’s introduced as a “certified professional nanny”. I’m a nanny myself, and many of the nannies I know consider ourselves professional nannies, but I don’t know if any certifications in the US, though many take various classes. Also, I hate that many novels that include nannies introduce the motif of a potential or real love interest between the dad and the nanny. This is not nearly as common as people think. Similarly, though a few characters suggest a relationship of this sort, it’s not discussed as often as maybe it should be between the relevant characters. Readers are told that an embrace is for comfort but not why the dad and the nanny spend so much time together - just friendship I guess?
Another family is discussed (the ghosts in the ghost story) and their relationship with the main characters. An incident happened many years earlier that likely has lead to trauma in the lives of a few of the characters. I hope that’s discussed more in the future books. Also, one of the dead is quickly forgiven for her involvement, but that seems like a stretch. There seems to be more to this story.
I do like that the babies, ages 10-12 months during this story (though it certainly seemed to take place over a longer time period than two months), actually have personalities and characters. They do seem very happy. How in the world did it take the others that long to figure out the words Sarah was making the letters say? It seemed obvious.
I’m amazed how many people seem to be pushing healthier food choices on Melanie. She seems destined to related trauma and maybe an eating disorder.
Again, I liked the book overall and do plan on reading more books by White. I’m looking forward to seeing how all their relationships grow and what’s next in their world.
The Guests on South Battery
4 Stars
Returning to work following her maternity leave, Melanie Trenholm is pleased to have a new client determined to sell the historic home that she has recently inherited. Unfortunately, the ghostly guests within are determined to have their say and Melanie has no choice but to listen ...
Although the mystery is quite predictable, there are several very compelling twists and turns. While the explanation of Hazel Pickney's death is rather obvious, it is entertaining to follow along as Melanie and Jack uncover the clues and expose the secret that will have a profound effect on their lives.
Melanie is a very appealing heroine even though her insecurities are still getting the better of her. Jack has obviously found his niche as a husband and father, but he really needs to be more forthcoming both with his feelings for Mellie and with keeping her informed about important issues that affect their family. In fact, this is the most problematic aspect of the story as Jack's reticence leads to an annoying misunderstanding that almost ruins the book.
Nevertheless, the latest installment in the Tradd Street series is wonderfully engaging and the Southern Gothic atmosphere of the setting continues to be a highlight. It will be interesting to see what happens next as there are two ongoing mysteries that remain unresolved.
4 Stars
Returning to work following her maternity leave, Melanie Trenholm is pleased to have a new client determined to sell the historic home that she has recently inherited. Unfortunately, the ghostly guests within are determined to have their say and Melanie has no choice but to listen ...
Although the mystery is quite predictable, there are several very compelling twists and turns. While the explanation of Hazel Pickney's death is rather obvious, it is entertaining to follow along as Melanie and Jack uncover the clues and expose the secret that will have a profound effect on their lives.
Melanie is a very appealing heroine even though her insecurities are still getting the better of her. Jack has obviously found his niche as a husband and father, but he really needs to be more forthcoming both with his feelings for Mellie and with keeping her informed about important issues that affect their family. In fact, this is the most problematic aspect of the story as Jack's reticence leads to an annoying misunderstanding that almost ruins the book.
Nevertheless, the latest installment in the Tradd Street series is wonderfully engaging and the Southern Gothic atmosphere of the setting continues to be a highlight. It will be interesting to see what happens next as there are two ongoing mysteries that remain unresolved.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes