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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
i was interested but something about the twists i just didnt like
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the story I just was expecting a haunted house type of vibe and that is not at all what it’s about. I still really enjoyed my time and I really liked the characters it is a typical domestic thriller but still super fun!
slow-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's billed as a mystery thriller but I guessed the murderer within the first five chapters and there wasn't a single second of suspense in the entire book. Also there are FOUR unsolved murders by the end of the book. It's ridiculous and not particularly believable.
I love the cover of this book. It provides the perfect visual intrigue for what may be occurring behind that closed gate, as though only certain people are privileged enough to be included. I’m always game for a story about an elegant mansion, its arrogant residents, and a murder to be solved. The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan seriously exceeded my expectations.
The novel opens with Nicole and Tom, a young couple who recently won the lottery and have built a magnificent Glass Barn home in the English countryside outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. Nicole and Tom have known each other since childhood and are true soulmates. Nicole returns home one morning from an outing to find Tom dead in their swimming pool. The loss of Tom is tragic and overwhelming. Thankfully, Nicole can lean on her neighbors, Sasha and Olly, and their housekeeper, Kitty. Sasha teaches yoga, and Olly is writing his first novel. Patrick, Tom’s childhood best friend, comes to spend time and grieve with Nicole. Patrick is a shady character, and Nicole is uncertain of his trustworthiness and motives for visiting with her. Detectives Hal and Jen are dedicated to finding out what happened to Tom. Everyone has their own opinion, whether it was an accident or murder.
The Manor House was a great suspenseful mystery thriller. I loved how the story was told from each character's perspective. (I can imagine that would be a challenge to write.) This story-telling style was fascinating and entertaining. It also gave my brain a work-out trying to figure out what happened to Tom. Other mysteries were introduced as the story progressed, adding layers to the characters’ pasts and secrets they held close. I was repeatedly shocked by the directions the characters took. I didn’t see anything coming that happened, and it made for a wonderful reading experience! Furthermore, I loved how the story kept going; Gilly thoroughly covered each character and what happened to them as the book closed. I appreciate finishing the book with a feeling of satisfaction.
I borrowed the audiobook from my local library with the Hoopla app. I highly recommend the audiobook as it has a full cast of narrators: Ethan Reid, Nathalie Buscombe, Clare Corbett, Fenella Woogler, Josh Dylan, Ben Allen, and Sian Thomas.
I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog
The novel opens with Nicole and Tom, a young couple who recently won the lottery and have built a magnificent Glass Barn home in the English countryside outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. Nicole and Tom have known each other since childhood and are true soulmates. Nicole returns home one morning from an outing to find Tom dead in their swimming pool. The loss of Tom is tragic and overwhelming. Thankfully, Nicole can lean on her neighbors, Sasha and Olly, and their housekeeper, Kitty. Sasha teaches yoga, and Olly is writing his first novel. Patrick, Tom’s childhood best friend, comes to spend time and grieve with Nicole. Patrick is a shady character, and Nicole is uncertain of his trustworthiness and motives for visiting with her. Detectives Hal and Jen are dedicated to finding out what happened to Tom. Everyone has their own opinion, whether it was an accident or murder.
The Manor House was a great suspenseful mystery thriller. I loved how the story was told from each character's perspective. (I can imagine that would be a challenge to write.) This story-telling style was fascinating and entertaining. It also gave my brain a work-out trying to figure out what happened to Tom. Other mysteries were introduced as the story progressed, adding layers to the characters’ pasts and secrets they held close. I was repeatedly shocked by the directions the characters took. I didn’t see anything coming that happened, and it made for a wonderful reading experience! Furthermore, I loved how the story kept going; Gilly thoroughly covered each character and what happened to them as the book closed. I appreciate finishing the book with a feeling of satisfaction.
I borrowed the audiobook from my local library with the Hoopla app. I highly recommend the audiobook as it has a full cast of narrators: Ethan Reid, Nathalie Buscombe, Clare Corbett, Fenella Woogler, Josh Dylan, Ben Allen, and Sian Thomas.
I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m in my mystery thriller binge mode and been reading them one after the other. This is another new author to me and while I kinda enjoy this one, I find it a bit absurd.
Nicole and Tom, childhood sweethearts, wins the lottery that changes their lives overnight. They are living their life they never imagined to have - mansion, fancy cars, expensive things and hobbies. But this dream is turned into nightmares when Tom is found dead by Nicole faced down in the pool. While in the process of grieving, she finds solace with the people around her, the young couple who live in the Manor and their housekeeper staying at the Coach House beside her, and Tom’s friend from school has turned up. But not all of them have good intentions. As investigation continues, Nicole starts to think that Tom’s death was not an accident and that her life is in danger as well.
It starts strong and captivating. Finding the dead person in the opening scene is very intriguing. As the story goes, it seems to be getting predictable. I like the vibe it’s giving, the mystery and the tense moments. There are a few twists, some good and surprising that I didn’t see coming and some a bit far fetched, something that will not make me believe easily. The ending is not something I agree but enjoyed it still.
Overall, if you like slow-burn mystery with lots of unlikable characters, you might just want to pick this up.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No