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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I am a total sucker for Karen White's "Tradd Street" series, and I am thrilled to finally read the fifth installment! Though I've read the majority over White's books, these will always be my favorites. I love the Charleston setting, and I think the ghost/psychic element takes things to the next level of what is already a series of intriguing stories.
"The Guests on South Battery" is a little different than the other Tradd Street novels because Melanie has gone through some major changes. She is no longer a woman trying to push aside her feelings for her handsome investigative partner--now she's married to him, and with kids, too. It was nice to see a more secure version of Melanie in this story (though that security definitely wanes for a while there), and I felt proud of how far she had come. I adore Jack and Melanie's relationship, and I was thrilled when they finally consummated the relationship/got married in the last book.
While this book is primarily focused on the mystery of the South Battery house, I liked that there was also a lot of focus on Melanie's marriage. Even though she finally has a happy family, there are still issues that arrive. Rather than choosing to make the relationship between Jack and Melanie perfect now that they are married, White gives the reader a more realistic version of life. These are two imperfect people who still have a lot to learn about how to be married.
As for the mystery of this novel, I can't say this was the best White has written. I knew with (almost 100%) certainty who Jayne was and what happened to Anna's daughter well before all of it was revealed. This wasn't necessarily a problem for me--I did really enjoy the story--but I do think it was easier to figure out than her previous Tradd Street novels have been. This by no means negatively affected my rating.
What did, however, affect my rating was that there were two story lines that got the brushoff. First, what's the story with the cistern? Is that going to be for the next book? I thought it was strange to put so much emphasis on it throughout the book, but then nothing *truly* occurred because of it. Second, what happened to the woman (Veronica, was it?) seeking answers about her sister's death? Melanie and her mother were helping with that, but it never got resolved. I didn't like that there wasn't any conclusion there.
Otherwise, I was a huge fan of this book. While it dealt with supernatural elements, the story really hit on a lot of real-life issues. I'm hoping that a #6 will be on its way!
"The Guests on South Battery" is a little different than the other Tradd Street novels because Melanie has gone through some major changes. She is no longer a woman trying to push aside her feelings for her handsome investigative partner--now she's married to him, and with kids, too. It was nice to see a more secure version of Melanie in this story (though that security definitely wanes for a while there), and I felt proud of how far she had come. I adore Jack and Melanie's relationship, and I was thrilled when they finally consummated the relationship/got married in the last book.
While this book is primarily focused on the mystery of the South Battery house, I liked that there was also a lot of focus on Melanie's marriage. Even though she finally has a happy family, there are still issues that arrive. Rather than choosing to make the relationship between Jack and Melanie perfect now that they are married, White gives the reader a more realistic version of life. These are two imperfect people who still have a lot to learn about how to be married.
As for the mystery of this novel, I can't say this was the best White has written. I knew with (almost 100%) certainty who Jayne was and what happened to Anna's daughter well before all of it was revealed. This wasn't necessarily a problem for me--I did really enjoy the story--but I do think it was easier to figure out than her previous Tradd Street novels have been. This by no means negatively affected my rating.
What did, however, affect my rating was that there were two story lines that got the brushoff. First, what's the story with the cistern? Is that going to be for the next book? I thought it was strange to put so much emphasis on it throughout the book, but then nothing *truly* occurred because of it. Second, what happened to the woman (Veronica, was it?) seeking answers about her sister's death? Melanie and her mother were helping with that, but it never got resolved. I didn't like that there wasn't any conclusion there.
Otherwise, I was a huge fan of this book. While it dealt with supernatural elements, the story really hit on a lot of real-life issues. I'm hoping that a #6 will be on its way!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Love every book in this series
Absolutely love all the books in this series. All the characters are wonderful. At times I want to shake Millie. But she always redeems herself. Can’t wait for the next book.
Absolutely love all the books in this series. All the characters are wonderful. At times I want to shake Millie. But she always redeems herself. Can’t wait for the next book.
Fine but not my favorite. Equal parts spooky and annoying; hence the 3 star rating. Book 5 has all the elements that I love, lots of southern charm, another old house to fix up and the ghosts are extra creepy in this one (couldn't read it at bedtime). But Melanie was extra annoying instead of just adorably quirky. Her insecurity about her marriage and constant harping about her post-baby body and weight became repetitious and took up too much of the narrative. The big twist was very easy to predict but I think it will add dimension to the next book in the series. Overall I would recommend if you are into southern gothic, romantic suspense, fans of Barbara Michaels but do start with the first book in the series.
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It seems funny to me that I feel the need to finish this series because it is certainly not my cup of tea. A possessed doll, a ghost cat, and... so much more. That's a big NOPE sandwich for me. Adding to my pain, I figured the mystery out way early on in the book. However, I'm still moving on to the next.