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josworld96's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
It's quite hard to review this book as it's a collection of a million-and-one things and it's only fun if you've read at least the first 4 books in the series (although reading the fifth too doesn't hurt) and if you really enjoyed those first 4 books. Plot-wise it's not adding anything and the short stories are amusing, but not really delivering the same thrill as the other novels.
However, all the other chapters were quite a lot of fun and along the way also quite educational! There is a list of female detective authors, there is a set of rules to write your own story (and instructions on why some rules are nonsense and should be ignored), Hazel and Daisy give some tips to start your own society, what equipment you need and how to write your journals, there is a list of inspiring unsolved crimes and of course a list of famous detectives.
Along the way the author also explains why she wrote the stories and who her inspirations were. Especially the detailed breakdowns of which stories inspired which parts of her novels was quite nice! If you're really into this genre and didn't read too much yet, you will also walk away with loads of recommendations (and some nice recipes to make treats while reading all those recommendations).
However, all the other chapters were quite a lot of fun and along the way also quite educational! There is a list of female detective authors, there is a set of rules to write your own story (and instructions on why some rules are nonsense and should be ignored), Hazel and Daisy give some tips to start your own society, what equipment you need and how to write your journals, there is a list of inspiring unsolved crimes and of course a list of famous detectives.
Along the way the author also explains why she wrote the stories and who her inspirations were. Especially the detailed breakdowns of which stories inspired which parts of her novels was quite nice! If you're really into this genre and didn't read too much yet, you will also walk away with loads of recommendations (and some nice recipes to make treats while reading all those recommendations).
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
When I first heard about this book (months ago) I thought it would just be a short stories bundle with new and old ones. Imagine my delight when I got the book a few days ago and saw it wasn't only that, but also tips, tricks, and all sorts of other fun things.
There was a lot of good to this book, I enjoyed the Daisy and Hazel stories the most, but I think I loved the tips/tricks, and also favourite detective books, favourite detectives the most. Especially how it was written. A lot of those were written from the POV of one of the characters (Hazel, Daisy, or one of the Pinkertons) and they were (duh) written from their time, so there would still be a lot of speculation on future books that we in this time already know of, plus all the authors are still alive and well. It was oh so much fun, like I was transported into time, see how it was from their POV, their excitement for future books.
I loved what books inspired this series, it was so much fun to read, plus all the little references that the author used. I also found 3 or so new authors, and I wish I could read them, but sadly none of my libraries I am member of have them. *sighs* I guess they are either too old, or it is because they are English.
Then the author also told us about the Golden Age of Detectives and the rules she uses (or breaks) when writing the series.
We also have codes and what kinds there are. How to set up your own detective society, and much much more. It was a packed bundle of everything you love and more. I am sure it will inspire a lot of kids to make their own detective societies and make their own codes.
I did like that the author didn't only add Hazel and Daisy, but also added the Pinkertons, they aren't really my favourite group, but eh, it was nice to see them get a bit of the spotlight.
The only thing I didn't quite like, and was something I didn't particularly like in the normal books, is how Daisy treats Hazel at times. I just wanted to smack her on her head for being so selfish and demeaning. Like Hazel is nothing more than a sidekick, that she needs to be trained so she doesn't do x and y. It is just such a shame. I can also see that they are friends, but at times I just don't see it.
But all in all, I really quite liked this book and I enjoyed it greatly. I would recommend this book to everyone, but be sure to read the other books first. While a lot of this can be enjoyed without having read the other stuff, there are still enough spoilers about the books, plus you won't know who the Pinkertons are.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
There was a lot of good to this book, I enjoyed the Daisy and Hazel stories the most, but I think I loved the tips/tricks, and also favourite detective books, favourite detectives the most. Especially how it was written. A lot of those were written from the POV of one of the characters (Hazel, Daisy, or one of the Pinkertons) and they were (duh) written from their time, so there would still be a lot of speculation on future books that we in this time already know of, plus all the authors are still alive and well. It was oh so much fun, like I was transported into time, see how it was from their POV, their excitement for future books.
I loved what books inspired this series, it was so much fun to read, plus all the little references that the author used. I also found 3 or so new authors, and I wish I could read them, but sadly none of my libraries I am member of have them. *sighs* I guess they are either too old, or it is because they are English.
Then the author also told us about the Golden Age of Detectives and the rules she uses (or breaks) when writing the series.
We also have codes and what kinds there are. How to set up your own detective society, and much much more. It was a packed bundle of everything you love and more. I am sure it will inspire a lot of kids to make their own detective societies and make their own codes.
I did like that the author didn't only add Hazel and Daisy, but also added the Pinkertons, they aren't really my favourite group, but eh, it was nice to see them get a bit of the spotlight.
The only thing I didn't quite like, and was something I didn't particularly like in the normal books, is how Daisy treats Hazel at times. I just wanted to smack her on her head for being so selfish and demeaning. Like Hazel is nothing more than a sidekick, that she needs to be trained so she doesn't do x and y. It is just such a shame. I can also see that they are friends, but at times I just don't see it.
But all in all, I really quite liked this book and I enjoyed it greatly. I would recommend this book to everyone, but be sure to read the other books first. While a lot of this can be enjoyed without having read the other stuff, there are still enough spoilers about the books, plus you won't know who the Pinkertons are.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
fsfs's review against another edition
bit boring.
found it quite hard to get through
once upon a crime>>>
found it quite hard to get through
once upon a crime>>>
bookishjosephine's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dinnureads's review against another edition
5.0
Fun little collection of Daisy and Hazel’s easier cases, including also cases of the Junior Pinkertons or Beanie and Kitty and a bit of history of crime solving as a whole. Wonderful companion to the main series.
charlotter172's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the section on the history of murder mysteries! I found that bit super interesting and I think I might give it a go and write my own story!!
catsandbooksarethebest's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
ellalikesfrogs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
vickylovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
A neat little book. I only read the added short stories and I liked those.