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thephdivabooks's review
3.0
I didn’t actually realize this was the third in a series when I read it but I was able to jump right in. I did go check a few other reviewers once I realized this and those who have read the full series said that while it may have a few characters here and there that overlap, this can be read as a standalone and the series itself can be read out of order. Thank goodness because I definitely would love to read more!
Set in the 1930s, the story centers around Amalie Vaughn, a former trapeze artist who escaped an attack from notorious serial killer nicknamed “The Death Catcher” and who specifically targeted trapeze artists. Amalie has used her family inheritance to purchase a villa in California resort town Burning Cove, with the goal of turning it into an inn. When her first guest is murdered by the very robot he invented during an exhibition, Amalie worries about it damaging the reputation of her inn, especially since there was another famous death at the villa before she purchased it. When the attractive and dangerous Matthias Jones arrives to investigate the most recent death, things get a bit more interesting around the inn.
Sometimes books from certain era can have leads who feel a bit dated but I didn’t find that to be the case with Amalie and Matthias. Amalie is a savvy business woman (where she learned to do this after a career as a trapeze artist I can’t say; maybe a bit of razzle dazzle). I did at times find the dialogue to be a bit of a weak point. It was at times contrived and repetitive. I also didn’t find Matthias to be as well-developed as he probably needed to be. The book is more plot-driven than character-driven.
Overall and quick and easy read, though nothing groundbreaking. Historical mystery fans who like a bit of romance will enjoy!
Set in the 1930s, the story centers around Amalie Vaughn, a former trapeze artist who escaped an attack from notorious serial killer nicknamed “The Death Catcher” and who specifically targeted trapeze artists. Amalie has used her family inheritance to purchase a villa in California resort town Burning Cove, with the goal of turning it into an inn. When her first guest is murdered by the very robot he invented during an exhibition, Amalie worries about it damaging the reputation of her inn, especially since there was another famous death at the villa before she purchased it. When the attractive and dangerous Matthias Jones arrives to investigate the most recent death, things get a bit more interesting around the inn.
Sometimes books from certain era can have leads who feel a bit dated but I didn’t find that to be the case with Amalie and Matthias. Amalie is a savvy business woman (where she learned to do this after a career as a trapeze artist I can’t say; maybe a bit of razzle dazzle). I did at times find the dialogue to be a bit of a weak point. It was at times contrived and repetitive. I also didn’t find Matthias to be as well-developed as he probably needed to be. The book is more plot-driven than character-driven.
Overall and quick and easy read, though nothing groundbreaking. Historical mystery fans who like a bit of romance will enjoy!
claradee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
2.0
fraise's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Car accident, Blood, Murder, Violence, Sexual content, Stalking, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Death, Classism, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and War
wonder_in's review against another edition
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
3.5
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The 1920’s vibes, the banter, and the unique characters really made this one for me. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Classism
Minor: Suicide and Gun violence
beccaand's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Car accident
Moderate: Stalking
amym84's review
4.0
Amaline Vaughn, a former trapeze artist, moved to Burning Cove to start a new life. Along with her aunt, Amaline opens the Hidden Beach Bed & Breakfast. Unfortunately, business is not going so well. Before buying, Amaline wasn't aware that there was a curse on the inn. Apparently a Hollywood Psychic to the Stars, one Madame Zolanda, threw herself off the balcony, and now their first, and currently only, guest Dr. Norman Pickwell has been murdered in front of a full audience of people by none other than his robotic invention Futuro. When Matthias Jones shows up at the Inn to look through Dr. Pickwell's things, Amaline knows immediately that there's more going on than a man's creation turning on him.
It seems that Dr. Pickwell was in possession of a cipher machine which he was supposedly set to sell to a mysterious buyer while in Burning Cove. As Matthias and Amaline team up to discover the murderer, they're faced with an even deeper conspiracy. One that may tie back into Amaline's reason for coming to Burning Cove in the first place.
I think that Tightrope is, so far, my favorite book of the series. Each book has had the old-school, Golden Age of Hollywood vibe to it, but I feel like Tightrope was the most enmeshed in the Hollywood culture than the other two books. I think it's something that has been building throughout the series and I just really enjoy getting a (fictionalized) behind-the-scenes look.
This was also the first time where there were two mysteries running side by side. I'm talking about Amaline's and the death of Dr. Pickwell and the cipher machine. There were almost too many threads weaved through this story, the ending took a lot of explaining, which for me wasn't a bad thing. I kind of enjoy when things are all presented nice and neat at the end, but I could see how some people would find it too much. The search for the cipher machine and the implications of why it was so badly wanted took center stage here and pretty much masked over the things that Amaline was dealing with personally, the incident that drove her to Burning Cove in the first place felt almost like an afterthought. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it could have almost been omitted as its bearing on the overall story was small.
Whereas I can see the consequences of how the other events played out flowing into the next book. By the end, things were tied up, I'd say, loosely. I'm hoping it's a storyline that Amanda Quick decides to follow.
Now, as for Matthias and Amaline. I really enjoyed the building of their relationship. Despite what happens to Amaline, I really liked her strength of character. I like how she looked out for herself and was pretty self-assured. I also liked that Matthias doesn't try to fit her into the role of "delicate woman". Regardless of any danger, he asks for her input and he listens to her suggestions and ideas, he even, on occasion, takes her with him on the investigation. Amanda Quick also gives Matthias an interesting family background which works, for the most part, if you just go with the flow of the story.
It's really the mystery that kept and caught my attention and despite the almost too many twists and turns, I thought it was done well and certainly surprised me in the end.
I'll be interested to see if events cross over into the next book, and even though his story has been, almost quietly, playing in the background, I'd bet Luther Pell has more up his sleeve that warrants a book all his own (well, along with his lady love Raina Kirk)
It seems that Dr. Pickwell was in possession of a cipher machine which he was supposedly set to sell to a mysterious buyer while in Burning Cove. As Matthias and Amaline team up to discover the murderer, they're faced with an even deeper conspiracy. One that may tie back into Amaline's reason for coming to Burning Cove in the first place.
I think that Tightrope is, so far, my favorite book of the series. Each book has had the old-school, Golden Age of Hollywood vibe to it, but I feel like Tightrope was the most enmeshed in the Hollywood culture than the other two books. I think it's something that has been building throughout the series and I just really enjoy getting a (fictionalized) behind-the-scenes look.
This was also the first time where there were two mysteries running side by side. I'm talking about Amaline's and the death of Dr. Pickwell and the cipher machine. There were almost too many threads weaved through this story, the ending took a lot of explaining, which for me wasn't a bad thing. I kind of enjoy when things are all presented nice and neat at the end, but I could see how some people would find it too much. The search for the cipher machine and the implications of why it was so badly wanted took center stage here and pretty much masked over the things that Amaline was dealing with personally, the incident that drove her to Burning Cove in the first place felt almost like an afterthought. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it could have almost been omitted as its bearing on the overall story was small.
Whereas I can see the consequences of how the other events played out flowing into the next book. By the end, things were tied up, I'd say, loosely. I'm hoping it's a storyline that Amanda Quick decides to follow.
Now, as for Matthias and Amaline. I really enjoyed the building of their relationship. Despite what happens to Amaline, I really liked her strength of character. I like how she looked out for herself and was pretty self-assured. I also liked that Matthias doesn't try to fit her into the role of "delicate woman". Regardless of any danger, he asks for her input and he listens to her suggestions and ideas, he even, on occasion, takes her with him on the investigation. Amanda Quick also gives Matthias an interesting family background which works, for the most part, if you just go with the flow of the story.
It's really the mystery that kept and caught my attention and despite the almost too many twists and turns, I thought it was done well and certainly surprised me in the end.
I'll be interested to see if events cross over into the next book, and even though his story has been, almost quietly, playing in the background, I'd bet Luther Pell has more up his sleeve that warrants a book all his own (well, along with his lady love Raina Kirk)
okaybooklover's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0