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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
a fun christmas murder mystery but it was SO OBVIOUS who was the killer lol
This was entertaining. It’s a cozy holiday mystery a la Knives Out/The Inheritance Games.
For what it is - a Christmas murder mystery with lots of murder and family drama - it is a page-turner (even if I guessed who the murderer was early on). It’s a fun read, with a traumatic arc and some character development for the main character. It’s a mess of pieces coming together.
I love a good murder mystery but tbh this wasn’t it. I could tell who the killer was within the first few chapters. There was an unexpected twist. Overall not a bad read.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m really glad I stumbled upon this book. It was a fun Christmas break read.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like the concept. The characters were hit or miss, some likable moments but I don't think we went deep enough on the interpersonal relationships to really feel the punches of each death or twist.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*3.5 STARS*
Murder mystery is a genre I rarely delve into that I really ought to read more often.
I felt that the characterisation and story started off a bit weak but got better as the story/game progressed. I don't think I am spoiling much by saying that I didn't realise Philippa and Ronnie were born in the 90s. I pictured a middle-aged couple. I feel like this should have been apparent to me from the start. Characters and story could have been fleshed out more but it was a fun read. Aspects of it were a bit implausible. It's rare that the UK would get 12 days of snow so immense that we cannot leave our homes. The idea of a Christmas that 'white' is a bit Dickensian.
The book picked up pace towards the end and Benedict has an interesting and vivid writing style. I just wish the characters and story had been developed further. I would have also enjoyed more information about what happened at the end.
Additional note: my library e-book had some very frustrating errors such as several uses of 'saracasm' when it should have been 'sarcasm'. Seems like an errant use of the find and replace function by whoever editing the text.
Murder mystery is a genre I rarely delve into that I really ought to read more often.
I felt that the characterisation and story started off a bit weak but got better as the story/game progressed. I don't think I am spoiling much by saying that I didn't realise Philippa and Ronnie were born in the 90s. I pictured a middle-aged couple. I feel like this should have been apparent to me from the start. Characters and story could have been fleshed out more but it was a fun read. Aspects of it were a bit implausible. It's rare that the UK would get 12 days of snow so immense that we cannot leave our homes. The idea of a Christmas that 'white' is a bit Dickensian.
The book picked up pace towards the end and Benedict has an interesting and vivid writing style. I just wish the characters and story had been developed further. I would have also enjoyed more information about what happened at the end.
Additional note: my library e-book had some very frustrating errors such as several uses of 'saracasm' when it should have been 'sarcasm'. Seems like an errant use of the find and replace function by whoever editing the text.