Reviews - MS Demeanor | The StoryGraph

716 reviews for:

MS Demeanor

Elinor Lipman

3.27 AVERAGE

supertenn115's review against another edition

1.75

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mmbc's review against another edition

3.25

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

mollycarter7's review against another edition

4.25

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

kirquinn's review against another edition

1.0

I wanted to like this book…but not a single character was compelling nor a single plot line developed. It was painful.

chartsh's review against another edition

3.5

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

djhalp111's review against another edition

3.75

funny lighthearted fast-paced

bethbaty's review against another edition

0.75

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

What did I just read?

The beginning of the book had like 4 different storylines and plot points moving around, and that was okay because it seemed like it would all work together for a chaotic climax and then a resolution.

But that’s not what happened. 😅 Instead, seemingly important plot lines and questions were just completely ignored and glossed over.

(like what DID happen to the old lady? Why did she leave that cryptic note before dying? What was her issue with Jane? Also, Duncan seemed like a pretty trashy guy, and we’re just cool with him suddenly coming back and MARRYING her sister? What did the food TikTok have to do with anything? It just went away? And what on earth was up with Mandy? Why even include the weird storyline about the polish kids if not to solve the murder? Why was it relevant to the story for Mandy to marry the dude?)

The only thing that consistently makes sense and gets fleshed out a tiny bit is Jane’s relationship with Perry. But there are just way too many things that seem to be only placed in the story to make something else make sense (like her cooking and the TikToks).

There were some fun and some sweet moments along the way, but mostly, this book reads like a brainstorm. It’s definitely not a real, polished story.