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okiegirl4's review
4.0
As in every Barker & Llewelyn book, I learned a little bit of history that I knew nothing about. I still really like this series. I have come to love the characters and how they deal with life. My favorite part of this story is that we get to learn a little more about Barker's past. Very interesting!
alliepeduto's review against another edition
2.0
DNF... Debating how to rate this, because I did listen to the whole book, but I ended up falling asleep through some of it and didn’t feel the need to go back and re-listen. I also got a paper version to skim since I think I missed some of the plot points, and I did read it for a book club.
Ultimately it felt a little too “Holmes and Watson” wannabe to me, with some romance thrown in? I really wanted to like this because I love historical mysteries, but it didn’t work for me.
Ultimately it felt a little too “Holmes and Watson” wannabe to me, with some romance thrown in? I really wanted to like this because I love historical mysteries, but it didn’t work for me.
hpstrangelove's review
5.0
Audiobook review. Narrator: Antony Ferguson
The last book in the series, so far. Book 10 should be out sometime in the fall, thank goodness. I'd hate to have to wait too long for the next one.
We get to learn about Barker's past in this one, when he's accused of murdering a visiting Japanese diplomat.
The last book in the series, so far. Book 10 should be out sometime in the fall, thank goodness. I'd hate to have to wait too long for the next one.
We get to learn about Barker's past in this one, when he's accused of murdering a visiting Japanese diplomat.
scribe391's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Set in 1891 London, when Ambassador Toda is assassinated in Cyrus Barker’s garden, Thomas Llewelyn is forced to take a crash course in Japanese culture and history.
lgiegerich's review
3.0
Seemed a bit scattered (& not well proofread). Not as good as previous books.
vsbedford's review
4.0
Another strong entry in the Barker and Llewelyn series, though this struck me as more of a "novel" novel than a mystery; it's an expansion upon well-established characters (we get lots of backstory, however unbelievable, of Mr. Barker) with a murder attached to it, rather than a proper private inquiry agent story. To Mr. Thomas's credit, that's no grounds for complaint. He has built of wonderful world here and one, if a reader can make a suggestion, I would hope that in upcoming novels he also expands upon the female characters as, currently, they're all angels and saints (with dirty faces or no) and that is tiresome. I wouldn't strongly suggest this for an entry point in the series as I think a level of familiarity is presumed, but that's probably easily fixed with a wikipedia search. A definite recommend.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
stunoelle's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
1890 London and the new Japanese ambassador has arrived with his entourage. One of their schedule visits is to the gardens of Cyrus Barker. Later that night when Ambassador Toda is kiled , Barker who was in the vicinity is the prime suspect. But the new ambassador, General Mononobe, employs them to find the murderer.
A stand-alone story, and an enjoyable mystery with political intrigue, a bit of romance, and where we also find out more about Barkers' history.
A NetGalley Book
A stand-alone story, and an enjoyable mystery with political intrigue, a bit of romance, and where we also find out more about Barkers' history.
A NetGalley Book
runoutofpages's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I hate picking up a series midway. I didn’t realize Old Scores was a series until chapter 3 but by then I was hooked and didn’t want to put the story down. This book makes a great stand alone, there was only a few times that a person was mentioned who I didn’t know or wasn’t given a good background on. I’m interested in starting the series from the beginning now. I do think the language was a little off for the time period the book was set in. For example a character said are you serious in response to a statement once in the beginning and I don’t think that fits the time period. I enjoyed the characters, Mac and Thomas best. Baker was a little closed off for me as a reader but I think if I had read the whole series I wouldn't feel that way. I did get a little confused towards the end of the story during the wrap up of the case. There seemed to almost be too many people and too much going on at the end that all needed to be wrapped up. Thomas has created an interesting Sherlock-ese world that I enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this eARC of Old Scores. This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
I hate picking up a series midway. I didn’t realize Old Scores was a series until chapter 3 but by then I was hooked and didn’t want to put the story down. This book makes a great stand alone, there was only a few times that a person was mentioned who I didn’t know or wasn’t given a good background on. I’m interested in starting the series from the beginning now. I do think the language was a little off for the time period the book was set in. For example a character said are you serious in response to a statement once in the beginning and I don’t think that fits the time period. I enjoyed the characters, Mac and Thomas best. Baker was a little closed off for me as a reader but I think if I had read the whole series I wouldn't feel that way. I did get a little confused towards the end of the story during the wrap up of the case. There seemed to almost be too many people and too much going on at the end that all needed to be wrapped up. Thomas has created an interesting Sherlock-ese world that I enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this eARC of Old Scores. This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.