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strawfly14's review against another edition
3.0
Pues no ha estado nada mal. Un chico al que compré dos libros en Wallapop me lo regaló como extra, y es una libro que se lee bastante rápido y tiene enganche. Además, la protagonista me ha caído bastante en gracia.
lizwisniewski's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining, with a wonderful main character. So glad I had procured a copy before the blizzard! Looking forward to the sequel.
missayme's review against another edition
3.0
This is a clever concept, interestingly written and immensely enjoyable. A great holiday read if you want a bit of a murder mystery without the blood and guts.
lunaseassecondaccount's review against another edition
3.0
I was encouraged to read this book by a friend, who a value the opinion of very much. I was told this book would be good, and, having found this friend's opinion to be reliable in the past, I was looking forward to reading it.
And I would have liked to have enjoyed this book. The cover itself is quite witty, and a rather good reflection on the typical people you would find in a class.
Unfortunately, I felt the story fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional on the most part, and I felt the Sniper to be rather contrived. I couldn't find myself striving to connect with the main character, Amy, especially given her rather melodramatic, self-pitying monologue towards the end. The moment something interesting is revealed about a character (Dot, Edna, Carla, even Syl), they're immediately shoved away and they're never brought up in that context again. I felt at times the book just lumbered on, until two hundred pages in, the plot really started.
That's not to say it's poorly written, but I didn't get anything out of it. It would have worked better with the mystery starting earlier on and a deeper reflection on the characters. Disappointing.
And I would have liked to have enjoyed this book. The cover itself is quite witty, and a rather good reflection on the typical people you would find in a class.
Unfortunately, I felt the story fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional on the most part, and I felt the Sniper to be rather contrived. I couldn't find myself striving to connect with the main character, Amy, especially given her rather melodramatic, self-pitying monologue towards the end. The moment something interesting is revealed about a character (Dot, Edna, Carla, even Syl), they're immediately shoved away and they're never brought up in that context again. I felt at times the book just lumbered on, until two hundred pages in, the plot really started.
That's not to say it's poorly written, but I didn't get anything out of it. It would have worked better with the mystery starting earlier on and a deeper reflection on the characters. Disappointing.
sandhills_kt's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not normally a mystery reader but this book was a delight. I think the fact that it was set in a writing class and based entirely on writing and reading and what not made me enjoy it. the characters were memorable and it was an easy read. I look forward to reading other books by Jincy.
lazwright's review against another edition
4.0
A bizarre and wonderful murder mystery set in the midst of a creative writing class. Willet does a phenomenal job of mosh-mashing styles together and I love the snark ones and flawed traits of the characters. At times, there are jumps in the story that are confusing, but that adds to the overall charm of the novel.
jenniferdenslow's review against another edition
4.0
Willett's book is a good mystery, but more literary than most cozy types. The book also has some good insight into what a writing class full of hopeful amateurs is really like...you definitely get the feeling that Willett has done her time trying to "inspire the uninspired".
lbb00ks's review against another edition
Fun, darkly comic murder mystery set in a writing class taught by a sardonic, early-peaking, one-hit wonder.
ablotial's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast, enjoyable read. I needed something light and entertaining and this book delivered. But it was also more intelligent than I was expecting. Ok sure, there were drawings of old ladies masturbating and pranks where 76 pizzas were delivered and stereotypical characters out the wazoo, it was all in good fun. But also, there were some very profound pieces of writing and some damn good writing advice, if you ask me.
One thing I find is that books about writing often annoy the piss out of me. Because they're like "oh there's this AMAZING writer" and then they make the mistake of showing a sample. And it's usually mediocre at best. And I'm like ugh, no. But in this book, the good writing was .. well, good! And there were examples of bad writing that were bad! And there were poems and stories with twists that I didn't catch and was in the dumb part of the class and the students who "got it" were explaining it to ME in addition to the rest of the class and when I finally "got it" I was like OMG THAT IS SO COOL. And arguing over the authors intent... somehow way cooler in this book than it was when I was in high school doing the same thing. I want to be in Amy's writing class!
And then the mystery. At first "The Sniper" was ... malicious but harmless. Nasty comments on people's work. That was fascinating to me. And the process of trying to guess who it was by comparing writing samples. I sort of figured it would end up being
Anyway. Probably not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who has been in a creative writing class. It'll stay on my shelves.
One thing I find is that books about writing often annoy the piss out of me. Because they're like "oh there's this AMAZING writer" and then they make the mistake of showing a sample. And it's usually mediocre at best. And I'm like ugh, no. But in this book, the good writing was .. well, good! And there were examples of bad writing that were bad! And there were poems and stories with twists that I didn't catch and was in the dumb part of the class and the students who "got it" were explaining it to ME in addition to the rest of the class and when I finally "got it" I was like OMG THAT IS SO COOL. And arguing over the authors intent... somehow way cooler in this book than it was when I was in high school doing the same thing. I want to be in Amy's writing class!
And then the mystery. At first "The Sniper" was ... malicious but harmless. Nasty comments on people's work. That was fascinating to me. And the process of trying to guess who it was by comparing writing samples. I sort of figured it would end up being
Spoiler
one of the "throwaway" characters who didn't add much to the story up to that point. That would have been the easy way out. But no, this author was better than that. Although looking back I don't recall a *single* clue that would have pointed me at the actual person... which maybe was the clue I should have been looking for since it's a book. Also because they talked about exactly that with one of the student books, being too obvious with the clues. Meh.Anyway. Probably not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who has been in a creative writing class. It'll stay on my shelves.
allie_jewett's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0