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leonieparamor's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
almond's review against another edition
3.0
I've loved the Thursday Murder Club series so far (1st 4 books), so that's the standard against which this book was judged. What I love about that series are the fully-fleshed characters. Sure, they're dealing with the challenges of aging, but they are such real people.
The characters in this book, on the other hand, are much flatter. They feel like old people rather than people who happen to be old. The author seems to use severe memory lapses as a suspense-building device, but no reference is made to any of the MCs having dementia, etc., so I guess we're supposed to believe such lapses are just part of being old.
I also found the sections told from Hetty's POV unique, but ultimately, they felt unnecessary to me.
I'm giving this one 3 stars because I did make it to the, but I will not be reading any further books in this series.
The characters in this book, on the other hand, are much flatter. They feel like old people rather than people who happen to be old. The author seems to use severe memory lapses as a suspense-building device, but no reference is made to any of the MCs having dementia, etc., so I guess we're supposed to believe such lapses are just part of being old.
I also found the sections told from Hetty's POV unique, but ultimately, they felt unnecessary to me.
I'm giving this one 3 stars because I did make it to the, but I will not be reading any further books in this series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
danidella's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alexiswiththefreckles's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sheaes21's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
whatthedeuce's review
Loved the book starting off from a tortoise’s viewpoint. I thought it boded well for a quirky and charming mystery, but nope. It quickly devolved into boredom and confusion for me.
thelonebookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
wjhogan235's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
This was a slog for me. I loved, 'Three Bags Full', so I was glad to see another book by Swann. I had trouble liking these characters, though, and in understanding the connections and the 'whys' to some of the things happening in the plot. Of course, most of these were cleared up later, but it confused and aggravated me for a time.
That said, I am glad that she has another book in this series in the works. Maybe I will get a better understanding of the connections between the characters and what kind of work that they all did in their younger years. Did they all work together as part of MI5 or MI6, or a special police division. There were all these hint and a couple times there direct mentions of past police work, yet they treated the current police officials like they couldn't trust them and had very little use for them.
I trust these will be cleared up in the second book in this series.
I see that Swann has another book in the 'Sheep' series coming up next year, and I am definitely looking forward to that.
That said, I am glad that she has another book in this series in the works. Maybe I will get a better understanding of the connections between the characters and what kind of work that they all did in their younger years. Did they all work together as part of MI5 or MI6, or a special police division. There were all these hint and a couple times there direct mentions of past police work, yet they treated the current police officials like they couldn't trust them and had very little use for them.
I trust these will be cleared up in the second book in this series.
I see that Swann has another book in the 'Sheep' series coming up next year, and I am definitely looking forward to that.
cowboylikestoread43's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0