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bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
3.25
The mystery was interesting and the characters were great; I just really didn’t care for the pacing or the way the plot unfolded. Basically, in the beginning of the book the main mystery is all lead up to, but when it finally gets to the thick of it all of a sudden we are going back into Maudie’s backstory. That parts, although interesting, takes up half the book. Then it gets back to the main mystery and it’s like whiplash. If the book had been written in chronological order it would have been far more enjoyable.
Historic Mystery, War Trauma, Good Character Development
Historic Mystery, War Trauma, Good Character Development
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, War, Blood, Death, Body shaming, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Alcohol, Gore, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Violence
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
I think Ms. Dobbs will be my go-to detective. I feel like this book combines the mysteries I loved so much when I was younger and the effects and history of trauma that I'm so interested in today. This feels like a good curling-up-in-front-of-the-fireplace read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, and War
rachaelbunny's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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
3.0
Well written but poorly edited. The first half of the book dragged so much that I nearly abandoned it. The chapters about how Lady Rowen met Monsieur Blanche or about Maisie’s childhood seemed overly drawn out. I understand why Winspear wrote them, but they should have been significantly trimmed in the editing process or had their information sprinkled throughout the story instead of taking multi-chapter breaks to have flashbacks unrelated to the plot.
I plan on reading the second in the series and I am hoping that it is better paced.
I plan on reading the second in the series and I am hoping that it is better paced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicide
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