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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed the shorter format of this third entry into the Ernest Cunningham series. I don't feel like it negatively impacted the mystery, which still had quite a few suspects, twists and red herrings. I actually figured out quite of few of the clues this time, but also missed more than a few.
I also liked how at the end of each chapter there was a word or phrase that was highlighted as a revealed Advent calendar hint (no I did not read one chapter a day for twenty-four days, I don't have that kind of restraint). My only issue with the Advent reveal is that I read this on my Kindle, and the Advent clue images were small and hard to read, but that's a minor complaint that only applies to e-readers, and hardly impacted my enjoyment of the novella at all.
I also liked how at the end of each chapter there was a word or phrase that was highlighted as a revealed Advent calendar hint (no I did not read one chapter a day for twenty-four days, I don't have that kind of restraint). My only issue with the Advent reveal is that I read this on my Kindle, and the Advent clue images were small and hard to read, but that's a minor complaint that only applies to e-readers, and hardly impacted my enjoyment of the novella at all.
funny
I do love the whole "detective solves the mystery, gets to say 'ah ha!' and then is immediately injured" bit
Ben Stevenson's gimmick is that his protagonist, Ernest, is a fan of Golden Age murder mysteries -- and he has a habit of getting involved in murder mysteries in real life. Not only that, but every time, the murder mystery follows the Golden Age rules (as Ernest keeps reminding us, all through the book).
I liked the gimmick in the first book I read, but the novelty has worn off for me. A light, fun Christmas read but I confess I started skimming towards the end.
I liked the gimmick in the first book I read, but the novelty has worn off for me. A light, fun Christmas read but I confess I started skimming towards the end.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A Christmas mystery murder …. a light and enjoyable read.