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puzzlegirl30's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
gturner92's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
This was a terrible book. The characters were all rude and whiny. Jenny, the main character, was judgmental, pathetic, and mean spirited. She for some reason is still pining over her high school boyfriend who cheated on her and impregnated the other girl 18 years earlier! 18 YEARS!!! And now that she sees he's an alcoholic, verbally abusive, married, filanderer, she still wants him! WTF!? By the way Jenny has an ex-husband by the way. Who comes back for all of a page and asks to come back to her while simultaneously blaming her for him cheating. Did I forget to mention the level headed sister that was only there for 1 chapter and the potential love interest Tony, whom, she sort of flirts with when she isn't pining over Johny? The other main character, Zoe Zola, is just as insufferable as Jenny. She is constantly quoting Alice in Wonderland but some how doesn't know that the book is called Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? Not to mention the quotes don't make any sense in the context of the story. The underlying mystery is fine, straightforward, and predictable. However, the book dragged on because the dialogue was just so unpleasant. The only person I enjoyed was Penelope, because she was who she was written to be a smug, know-it-all, lawyer who was about her business but also compassionate. Overal a terrible book. I only finished it because I accidentally started the 3rd book which has a much more compelling mystery. However, the characters have changed from the first (and presumably 2nd) books.
(I do not plan to read the 2nd book).
(I do not plan to read the 2nd book).
sarahfett's review against another edition
1.0
I liked the concept of a mystery starting with a vandalized little library, but I couldn't get into it because of the stilted writing and annoying secondary character.
I received an ARC from Net Galley.
I received an ARC from Net Galley.
rosemaryslibrarian's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
lunifur's review against another edition
3.0
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**
I was a bit disappointed by this book. As a first in series, it was a strong start, but at times it just felt a bit too muddled. This might have been intentional, since it has a lot of references to Alice in Wonderland. The first chapter also seemed a bit too depressing, dragging on and on while dwelling on two sad events. The mystery itself was interesting, and even though I had my suspicions, I was still surprised at the ending.
I was a bit disappointed by this book. As a first in series, it was a strong start, but at times it just felt a bit too muddled. This might have been intentional, since it has a lot of references to Alice in Wonderland. The first chapter also seemed a bit too depressing, dragging on and on while dwelling on two sad events. The mystery itself was interesting, and even though I had my suspicions, I was still surprised at the ending.
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
1.0
It's about all I can do to keep listening to this story. I'm still hoping the author redeems all the problems I've got with this.
Problems:
1. Protagonist referred to little person as a creature
2. There is slut shaming
3. Protagonist needs to get over teen heartache drama - 18 years later!
4. The little person is annoying as all get out.
5. Everyone ignores rampant evidence tampering and obstruction. Does anybody have enough sense to look ahead and see the inevitable outcome of such actions?
6. Narrator mispronounces Zoe, Demeter, and other words. [ETA: It turns out that I pronounce Demeter incorrectly, and the reader had it right!]
Just ugh. I won't be reading more from this author.
Problems:
1. Protagonist referred to little person as a creature
2. There is slut shaming
3. Protagonist needs to get over teen heartache drama - 18 years later!
4. The little person is annoying as all get out.
5. Everyone ignores rampant evidence tampering and obstruction. Does anybody have enough sense to look ahead and see the inevitable outcome of such actions?
6. Narrator mispronounces Zoe, Demeter, and other words. [ETA: It turns out that I pronounce Demeter incorrectly, and the reader had it right!]
Just ugh. I won't be reading more from this author.
krisrid's review against another edition
1.0
I tried to like this, but unfortunately I didn't.
I found pretty much all the characters either TSTL, weak and wimpy, or simply unpleasant and unlikable.
The mystery and what the murder was all about was depressing verging on disturbing and I did not find anything to enjoy about it.
This was a miss for me on all counts where cozies are concerned. I expect murder, I expect SOME unpleasant people, and I expect small-town busybodies. But I don't expect to be depressed and sad when I get to the end of a cozy, but that is how I felt at the end of this one. It may work for other readers, but as I said, a miss for me.
I found pretty much all the characters either TSTL, weak and wimpy, or simply unpleasant and unlikable.
The mystery and what the murder was all about was depressing verging on disturbing and I did not find anything to enjoy about it.
This was a miss for me on all counts where cozies are concerned. I expect murder, I expect SOME unpleasant people, and I expect small-town busybodies. But I don't expect to be depressed and sad when I get to the end of a cozy, but that is how I felt at the end of this one. It may work for other readers, but as I said, a miss for me.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This story was an absolute treasure.
Jenny Weston reeling from an awful divorce arrived back home in Bear Falls to find her mother’s Little Library has been chopped to bits and books have have been ripped apart. The Little Library was built by Jenny’s dad for his librarian wife because little Bear Falls doesn’t have a public library and she wanted to share her joy of reading. He built it to look like just like their home and put it up shortly before he was killed in a car accident.
The first person Jenny meets is Zoe Zola who she finds lamenting about the Little Library’s destruction. Zoe just happens to be an author herself, a Lewis Carroll enthusiast, and a little person, who takes a bit of getting used to. She thinks she knows who did the dastardly deed but when the man is found dead and Zoe becomes the prime suspect, all thoughts turn to proving her innocence. Things continue to roll out of control as another man is found murdered and so many more questions arise.
I started reading this book and could not put it down. I loved the uniqueness of Zoe. She may be of small stature but she has a huge heart and a very uplifting point of view and special way of thinking. Jenny’s mom has a good friend in Zoe and as the book continued Jenny and she were quickly becoming “almost friends”.
I enjoyed the small town setting and the way the residents pulled together to help Jenny’s mother, Dora, replace her loss. It was interesting the Jenny reconnecting with high school friends she really didn’t want to and found her life was better having left town when she did. She also meets someone new in town that just may help her start to heal her aching heart.
The drama was multifaceted as well. The main plot and subplots blended perfectly. They are complex, curious, and at times comical.
The best part of the whole thing was the author’s writing style. At times I felt like we were going down the rabbit hole ourselves and it was such a fun adventure. Words, words, words, suitcase words, words that need to be unpacked and understood and that would lead you to the answers you seek or they could lead you nowhere, but totally entertaining.
Loved, Loved, Loved, this story!! It is fresh and different! Alice in Wonderland fans, this is a book for you!
This story was an absolute treasure.
Jenny Weston reeling from an awful divorce arrived back home in Bear Falls to find her mother’s Little Library has been chopped to bits and books have have been ripped apart. The Little Library was built by Jenny’s dad for his librarian wife because little Bear Falls doesn’t have a public library and she wanted to share her joy of reading. He built it to look like just like their home and put it up shortly before he was killed in a car accident.
The first person Jenny meets is Zoe Zola who she finds lamenting about the Little Library’s destruction. Zoe just happens to be an author herself, a Lewis Carroll enthusiast, and a little person, who takes a bit of getting used to. She thinks she knows who did the dastardly deed but when the man is found dead and Zoe becomes the prime suspect, all thoughts turn to proving her innocence. Things continue to roll out of control as another man is found murdered and so many more questions arise.
I started reading this book and could not put it down. I loved the uniqueness of Zoe. She may be of small stature but she has a huge heart and a very uplifting point of view and special way of thinking. Jenny’s mom has a good friend in Zoe and as the book continued Jenny and she were quickly becoming “almost friends”.
I enjoyed the small town setting and the way the residents pulled together to help Jenny’s mother, Dora, replace her loss. It was interesting the Jenny reconnecting with high school friends she really didn’t want to and found her life was better having left town when she did. She also meets someone new in town that just may help her start to heal her aching heart.
The drama was multifaceted as well. The main plot and subplots blended perfectly. They are complex, curious, and at times comical.
The best part of the whole thing was the author’s writing style. At times I felt like we were going down the rabbit hole ourselves and it was such a fun adventure. Words, words, words, suitcase words, words that need to be unpacked and understood and that would lead you to the answers you seek or they could lead you nowhere, but totally entertaining.
Loved, Loved, Loved, this story!! It is fresh and different! Alice in Wonderland fans, this is a book for you!