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book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
2.5**
This is the debut of ex-reporter and amateur sleuth Henrietta O'Dwyer Collins, a/k/a Henrie O. An old flame – now a media mogul – asks Henrie O to come to his private island for a holiday, and to investigate a special project – one of the guests is trying to kill him. It would be an idyllic setting; Chase has spared no expense in outfitting his getaway. Guests enjoy luxury amenities, an attentive staff and superb food; or they would if a hurricane weren't bearing down on them.
I've read one of the later Henrie O works and I really like her. She behaves in a manner consistent with her age, using brains rather than brawn, and she never relies on a man to get her out of a bind. This first outing, however, had some problems. The pacing was a bit slow for me, and I was dissatisfied with the ending (though there was a significant surprise). Still, I'll read more of Henrie O., and probably try another of Hart's mystery series.
This is the debut of ex-reporter and amateur sleuth Henrietta O'Dwyer Collins, a/k/a Henrie O. An old flame – now a media mogul – asks Henrie O to come to his private island for a holiday, and to investigate a special project – one of the guests is trying to kill him. It would be an idyllic setting; Chase has spared no expense in outfitting his getaway. Guests enjoy luxury amenities, an attentive staff and superb food; or they would if a hurricane weren't bearing down on them.
I've read one of the later Henrie O works and I really like her. She behaves in a manner consistent with her age, using brains rather than brawn, and she never relies on a man to get her out of a bind. This first outing, however, had some problems. The pacing was a bit slow for me, and I was dissatisfied with the ending (though there was a significant surprise). Still, I'll read more of Henrie O., and probably try another of Hart's mystery series.
novawalsh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
I've read a lot of this author, and have to say I think the Henry O stories are my favorite. This one was well written and hard to put down. Highly recommend if you like cozy mysteries.
dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
3.0
Book #13 read in 2005
This novel was okay. There were some VERY unbelieveable moments, but then all cozy mysteries tend to be a little like that. I liked it enough to give the next in the series a chance. Maybe it will be even better.
This novel was okay. There were some VERY unbelieveable moments, but then all cozy mysteries tend to be a little like that. I liked it enough to give the next in the series a chance. Maybe it will be even better.
fleurette's review against another edition
4.0
I must confess that some time ago I put this book on my kindle, because I saw that it is set on a tropical island and I definitely wanted a story like that, as it was a snowy winter here where I live. But I only read it now (although it's still late spring snow outside, so not much has changed) and I'm pleasantly surprised. This is a really good story.
This is a variation on [b:And Then There Were None|16299|And Then There Were None|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391120695l/16299._SY75_.jpg|3038872] by Agatha Christie - an island, a limited number of people (although they know each other) and a probable killer with unknown intentions. Although, of course, there are also clearly visible differences that make this story very interesting. It has a great atmosphere.
It is really easy to like the main character, Henrie O. She is a woman who can think quickly, is not easily deceived by appearances and can cope with unusual situations. She is older than the typical heroine, but definitely not the cute old lady we know from some cozy mysteries. She's a good and strong main character who works great in this story. Still, from the beginning I suspected what is her secret, which was confirmed at the end of the book.
There is, of course, also a group of interesting and quite vivid supporting characters, any of whom may wish for the death of the host of the house and former lover of Henrie O, Chase. This group is almost stereotypical - a young new wife, an elderly actress, a stepson who expects something different from life than his stepfather, a son from his first marriage, a dangerous servant. But at the same time, there is something interesting in each of them that eludes the typical schemes. What a great group of extraordinary characters this is. And they're all good suspects, too.
The pace of this story is fast, a lot is going on. There are also many more attempts to kill Chase than I expected. The approaching hurricane adds to the drama of the whole situation. The solution is very interesting. Especially when we consider the conclusions that Henrie comes to at the end of the story. I like when solving the whole mystery is much more complicated than saying "the murderer is X and his motive was money".
I am eager to meet Henrie O again in the next book. This could be a series that I will love to come back to from time to time. I also definitely recommend this book, especially as a beach read. Though it might not be such a great idea after all, given the hurricane theme in the story.
This is a variation on [b:And Then There Were None|16299|And Then There Were None|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391120695l/16299._SY75_.jpg|3038872] by Agatha Christie - an island, a limited number of people (although they know each other) and a probable killer with unknown intentions. Although, of course, there are also clearly visible differences that make this story very interesting. It has a great atmosphere.
It is really easy to like the main character, Henrie O. She is a woman who can think quickly, is not easily deceived by appearances and can cope with unusual situations. She is older than the typical heroine, but definitely not the cute old lady we know from some cozy mysteries. She's a good and strong main character who works great in this story. Still, from the beginning I suspected what is her secret, which was confirmed at the end of the book.
There is, of course, also a group of interesting and quite vivid supporting characters, any of whom may wish for the death of the host of the house and former lover of Henrie O, Chase. This group is almost stereotypical - a young new wife, an elderly actress, a stepson who expects something different from life than his stepfather, a son from his first marriage, a dangerous servant. But at the same time, there is something interesting in each of them that eludes the typical schemes. What a great group of extraordinary characters this is. And they're all good suspects, too.
The pace of this story is fast, a lot is going on. There are also many more attempts to kill Chase than I expected. The approaching hurricane adds to the drama of the whole situation. The solution is very interesting. Especially when we consider the conclusions that Henrie comes to at the end of the story. I like when solving the whole mystery is much more complicated than saying "the murderer is X and his motive was money".
I am eager to meet Henrie O again in the next book. This could be a series that I will love to come back to from time to time. I also definitely recommend this book, especially as a beach read. Though it might not be such a great idea after all, given the hurricane theme in the story.
marykat's review against another edition
4.0
It's kind of like reading first-person Agatha Christie, but with that special something you often get from stories told by characters who are/were reporters.
cleocleveland's review
3.0
3.5*s - Good old-fashioned "locked room" mystery with a bunch of suspects trapped on an island. I enjoyed the lead character but figured out the mystery well in advance. Also the big "surprise" at the end wasn't much of a surprise to me. However, Henrie O is a good amateur sleuth. Being a former reporter she knows how to dig and how to handle herself in an emergency. Unlike many cozy heroines she doesn't do anything ridiculous to jeopardize herself and others and in fact argues for police involvement rather than hiding from the professionals. For that alone I'd certainly read another in this series.
julieputty's review
4.0
Good characterizations and nice twists. Not sure why people built mansions out of effectively tissue paper on hurricane-prone islands, but maybe I just don't have the right vision!
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