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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read for BC April '25
The driving force in this story is supposed to be the characters, but each one fell flat for me. It felt like the obvious decision would have been to have the POV switch between the characters of the SBS Society. This would have endeared us to the characters and been more interesting than hearing how each character completed their investigations second-hand. The secrets that bonded the women together were also not as extraordinary as the book would lead you to believe. Had the secrets been darker, there would have been more of an edge and realism to the main four. Instead, even in their darkest moments, each woman was the hero and did the "right" thing.
The driving force in this story is supposed to be the characters, but each one fell flat for me. It felt like the obvious decision would have been to have the POV switch between the characters of the SBS Society. This would have endeared us to the characters and been more interesting than hearing how each character completed their investigations second-hand. The secrets that bonded the women together were also not as extraordinary as the book would lead you to believe. Had the secrets been darker, there would have been more of an edge and realism to the main four. Instead, even in their darkest moments, each woman was the hero and did the "right" thing.
Another cosy book murder series with an actually unique and interesting bit! It's refreshing and exciting to have resilient yet deeply flawed women at the centre. And awesome to have a character who doesn't have a typical body. I appreciated the constant literary references and deep valuing of books and reading. This series will blow up my to read list.
Feel like this should only half count because I was using this book to help me fall asleep.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5 stars. I’ve read a number of these types of books and this one was just not as engaging - characters are ok, mystery is ok - but it was all just ok. Nothing amazing or funny or thought provoking :/
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
I throughly enjoyed this story. I loved the four women.
A choice of my RL book club which I'll be discussing with them next week. Actually I'll try to keep my big mouth shut, since it isn't the best nor the worst cozy mystery that I've read, but it did have some of what I consider to be some of the more objectionable tropes of this sub-genre.
If I was judging by cozies, I'd believe that law enforcement is either corrupt or inept in the majority of small communities. Perhaps I'm deluded, but I think most law enforcement officers are good people doing the best job they can.
I also roll my eyes when the women (they are almost always women) do silly things like breaking and entering or elaborate spying. This group of amateur investigators does both of these things. I don't find this realistic which drives me nuts. I’ll only grant an exception to comic cozies like the Miss Fortune series by Jana Deleon, where she writes it as slapstick.
Finally, I found the ending OTT melodramatic. I don't want to spoil things and I can see where it probably seemed like a neat way to wrap things up. Not to say that I don't think that crime happens in small towns because I know it does. However the situation in this novel seemed over elaborate to me.
There were good things I liked about this book too. I appreciated that four friends who banded together. I liked their assortment of talents and careers. I loved Nora's bookstore and her bibliotherapy for her customers. It meshed nicely with Hester's comfort scones produced in her bakery. We gradually learn that all of the women have big secrets and they have kept others at arm's length for a long time. All the elements of the title explained. (I may as well confess that the title made me itchy until I figured out the comma placement was accurate.)
So not the best, not the worst. Although the final pages set up the next book handily (and 2 of the 4 women haven't been matched up with a romantic interest yet) I rather doubt that I'll continue on. But at least I'll know what everyone at book club is talking about while I struggle to keep my opinions to myself.
If I was judging by cozies, I'd believe that law enforcement is either corrupt or inept in the majority of small communities. Perhaps I'm deluded, but I think most law enforcement officers are good people doing the best job they can.
I also roll my eyes when the women (they are almost always women) do silly things like breaking and entering or elaborate spying. This group of amateur investigators does both of these things. I don't find this realistic which drives me nuts. I’ll only grant an exception to comic cozies like the Miss Fortune series by Jana Deleon, where she writes it as slapstick.
Finally, I found the ending OTT melodramatic. I don't want to spoil things and I can see where it probably seemed like a neat way to wrap things up. Not to say that I don't think that crime happens in small towns because I know it does. However the situation in this novel seemed over elaborate to me.
There were good things I liked about this book too. I appreciated that four friends who banded together. I liked their assortment of talents and careers. I loved Nora's bookstore and her bibliotherapy for her customers. It meshed nicely with Hester's comfort scones produced in her bakery. We gradually learn that all of the women have big secrets and they have kept others at arm's length for a long time. All the elements of the title explained. (I may as well confess that the title made me itchy until I figured out the comma placement was accurate.)
So not the best, not the worst. Although the final pages set up the next book handily (and 2 of the 4 women haven't been matched up with a romantic interest yet) I rather doubt that I'll continue on. But at least I'll know what everyone at book club is talking about while I struggle to keep my opinions to myself.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
very good, wish I'd read it sooner and can't wait to read the rest of the series