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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Gentleman thief on a Toronto treasure hunt.
A fun quest adventure with some wonderful obscure clues. Also a bonus for those who know Toronto (although the author's foreword note denies any similarities to Toronto and Etobicoke). I was looking/hoping for something a bit more clever with the characters esp. the relationship between the policeman and the gentleman thief, but that didn't seem to pan out. That was probably the only thing that kept this from "5 out of 5" territory.
Trivia
I didn't know before reading this that "Linje Aquavit" liquor is aged at sea and travels a round trip from Norway to Australia and back, in order to cross the equator twice.
A fun quest adventure with some wonderful obscure clues. Also a bonus for those who know Toronto (although the author's foreword note denies any similarities to Toronto and Etobicoke). I was looking/hoping for something a bit more clever with the characters esp. the relationship between the policeman and the gentleman thief, but that didn't seem to pan out. That was probably the only thing that kept this from "5 out of 5" territory.
Trivia
I didn't know before reading this that "Linje Aquavit" liquor is aged at sea and travels a round trip from Norway to Australia and back, in order to cross the equator twice.
*vague spoiler (depending on your definition of a spoiler), but no specifics*
An enjoyable mystery with an interesting cast of characters. So much of Toronto and present-day (ish) was recognizable, but with a shade even more miseries and indulgences of wealth. I'm not sure how I wanted it to end, but I was...unfulfilled. It didn't quite have the intrigue the rest of the book share.
But the book comes to an ending quite quickly so the rest of the time reading I was thoroughly entertained.
I've only read Fifteen Dogs in this Quincunx, but I didn't recognize (without research) any common character references.
An enjoyable mystery with an interesting cast of characters. So much of Toronto and present-day (ish) was recognizable, but with a shade even more miseries and indulgences of wealth. I'm not sure how I wanted it to end, but I was...unfulfilled. It didn't quite have the intrigue the rest of the book share.
But the book comes to an ending quite quickly so the rest of the time reading I was thoroughly entertained.
I've only read Fifteen Dogs in this Quincunx, but I didn't recognize (without research) any common character references.
3.5 stars. I could see loving this, but I really didn't. Just liked it. Very well written. Exceptionally well written.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've now read 3 of the 5 books in the Quincunx and I think I can safely conclude that Alexis is nothing short of a genius and I cannot wait to read the other two books in this series. I still have to read Pastoral and the last installment which it believe is still forthcoming. I honestly have not enjoyed a series of books this much in quite some time. Each one alone is incredible but the subtle intermingling of themes, worlds, and characters is just blowing my mind. I want to give these books a very enthusiastic standing ovation.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A really fun mystery!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
See my full review at
https://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-hidden-keys-by-andre-alexis.html
https://topplingbookpile.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-hidden-keys-by-andre-alexis.html
I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it more than I would have enjoyed reading Treasure Island. I liked Tancred and the way he approaches his ethically complex world.