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eastofreaden's review against another edition
5.0
This book was one of the most original mysteries I’ve ever read, and the initial reason I read it wasn’t even because it was a mystery. It was that the main character, Jasper, a 13-year-old boy, has synaesthesia and experiences the world as a kaleidoscope of colour. He is also on the spectrum and has prosopagnosia (face blindness). Jasper befriends his new neighbour, Bee, but when she is murdered, he doesn’t know the extent of how much he is involved.
As you experience things through Jasper’s point-of-view, the reactions of those around him and flashbacks to previous events, the complete picture begins to piece itself together. A lot of the time, you are putting things together before Jasper is. As the details started to form fully, I remember being genuinely shocked by what was revealed to me as his memories untangled.
I also want to add that Jasper's autistic traits are written respectfully and genuinely. I've read several other books with a main character on the spectrum, and they can easily come across as a parody of what it is. Harris did a lot of research, including working with the National Autistic Society and interviewing many people with autism, including a woman with prosopagnosia and synaesthesia. She took the right steps, and it shows.
As you experience things through Jasper’s point-of-view, the reactions of those around him and flashbacks to previous events, the complete picture begins to piece itself together. A lot of the time, you are putting things together before Jasper is. As the details started to form fully, I remember being genuinely shocked by what was revealed to me as his memories untangled.
I also want to add that Jasper's autistic traits are written respectfully and genuinely. I've read several other books with a main character on the spectrum, and they can easily come across as a parody of what it is. Harris did a lot of research, including working with the National Autistic Society and interviewing many people with autism, including a woman with prosopagnosia and synaesthesia. She took the right steps, and it shows.
mindi46's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
Jasper is not a normal boy. He likes order and routine and he hears noises in terms of colours. When a new neighbour appears in his street Jasper is fascinated by her colours, so similar to his dead mother's. When she encourages parakeets to nest in the trees outside her house then Jasper is even more entranced. However Bee is making enemies amongst the neighbours with her eccentricity and noise and Jasper finds himself being manipulated.
This book has a lot of terrific reviews but when I first started reading I found it slow and a little frustrating. However I'm glad that I persevered as the story is like an onion and only as the layers get peeled away does the true complexity of the story get revealed. Jasper is an interesting narrator, Harris has really got inside the mind of troubled boy and his memory gaps. By the end I was avidly reading to find out who actually was the killer and why, even this gave an extra twist. What seems a very safe book is actually very dark.
This book has a lot of terrific reviews but when I first started reading I found it slow and a little frustrating. However I'm glad that I persevered as the story is like an onion and only as the layers get peeled away does the true complexity of the story get revealed. Jasper is an interesting narrator, Harris has really got inside the mind of troubled boy and his memory gaps. By the end I was avidly reading to find out who actually was the killer and why, even this gave an extra twist. What seems a very safe book is actually very dark.
tmmagclan15's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gemmaduds's review against another edition
4.0
The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder' is a bright and bold mystery told through the eyes of Jasper, a 13 year old boy who has Autism and also experiences Synaesthesia. He is a wonderful character - well written, sharp and instantly likeable; Sarah J. Harris has clearly done her research.
Jasper tells us immediately that he has murdered Bee Larkham, the lady that has recently moved back into her childhood home next-door; and what follows is him looking back over the time leading up to her killing by repainting the colours that he has seen each day. As he puts his brush to canvas we find ourselves dragged into an ever darkening tale of secrets, obsession and deception.
One issue between Bee and a younger boy was swept under the carpet a little bit, but perhaps this was because the story was told through Jasper's POV, and he might not have completely understood the seriousness of that situation (no spoilers).
'The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder' is one to watch this spring.
Jasper tells us immediately that he has murdered Bee Larkham, the lady that has recently moved back into her childhood home next-door; and what follows is him looking back over the time leading up to her killing by repainting the colours that he has seen each day. As he puts his brush to canvas we find ourselves dragged into an ever darkening tale of secrets, obsession and deception.
One issue between Bee and a younger boy was swept under the carpet a little bit, but perhaps this was because the story was told through Jasper's POV, and he might not have completely understood the seriousness of that situation (no spoilers).
'The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder' is one to watch this spring.
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
Giving up on this one. I loved the idea of experiencing the world through the eyes of someone with synthesia. But I just kept wishing I was reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
jemimamc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chandaurtara's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars because of all the parakeets.
I'm sorry :(
Apart from that, great book.
Almost cried.
Kudos, Sarah J. Harris.
I'm sorry :(
Apart from that, great book.
Almost cried.
Kudos, Sarah J. Harris.
pam_ritchie's review
4.0
The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J. Harris is written from the point of view of an autistic boy who has synathesia (sees sounds as colour) and can't recognise faces. He's also the person who knows the most about Bee Larkham's murder.
This is a very well written murder mystery, but with people being recognised by the colour of their voices rather than their faces. I enjoyed the story, learning about Jasper, and his father, and how the story ended.
I was reminded strongly of A Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-time, so if you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy this!
The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder was published on 27th December 2018 and is available on Amazon , Waterstones and Bookshop.org .
You can follow Sarah J. Harris on Twitter and her website.
I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HarperCollins .
This is a very well written murder mystery, but with people being recognised by the colour of their voices rather than their faces. I enjoyed the story, learning about Jasper, and his father, and how the story ended.
I was reminded strongly of A Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-time, so if you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy this!
The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder was published on 27th December 2018 and is available on Amazon , Waterstones and Bookshop.org .
You can follow Sarah J. Harris on Twitter and her website.
I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HarperCollins .