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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
This book offered a fascinating look at life from a servants perspective during the time of the Chicago's World Fair. This combined with a mystery and a hint of a romance made for an enjoyable read, although I was dissatisfied with the ending. The story centers around Rosalind, a young woman who is desperate to find out what happened to her sister. She decides to apply for the same position that Rosalind was working at--and so she ends up working as a maid at Sloane house. She hides her identity from the family and does her best to discover the secrets hidden underneath the surface--secrets that might lead her to the truth about her sister. Rosalind has a lot to learn about being a good housemaid, navigating the big city, and about her new employers, however along the way she gets some unexpected help from a young man named Reid Armstrong--but she questions why someone from a wealthy family like his would be interested in her? Rosalind's questions are eventually answered--but in a way I did not find entirely satisfactory.
If you like period histories that show the contrast between the classes this would be a good pick. The mystery aspect of the book could have been put together a bit better, in my opinion, but I did enjoy the historical aspects and the way the characters used faith and moral reasoning to help guide them.
If you like period histories that show the contrast between the classes this would be a good pick. The mystery aspect of the book could have been put together a bit better, in my opinion, but I did enjoy the historical aspects and the way the characters used faith and moral reasoning to help guide them.
I had been given book #3 in this series to review, without having read the first books. I don't like to do that, but discovered that the book held its own. But i knew I wanted to go back and read the first two books in the series.
I enjoyed this book! I actually liked it better than book #3. It had a great premise, even though I "knew" how it was going to end (boy gets girl, defies society). But the trip there was interesting. In some ways, it reminded me of books by Elizabeth Camden. Even though the World's Fair was going on, it really wasn't the main event--or even mentioned all that much. I don't think I would even call it a "Chicago World's Fair Mystery", as that implies things surrounding the fair, of which this book didn't really do. I admit I was surprised at who the ultimate villain was in the book. That caught me off guard. Love it when books do that.
When I ended the book, I had to grab the next one, because I wanted to continue to read and see what happens to Eloisa who plays a key role in the ending of this first book.
I enjoyed this book! I actually liked it better than book #3. It had a great premise, even though I "knew" how it was going to end (boy gets girl, defies society). But the trip there was interesting. In some ways, it reminded me of books by Elizabeth Camden. Even though the World's Fair was going on, it really wasn't the main event--or even mentioned all that much. I don't think I would even call it a "Chicago World's Fair Mystery", as that implies things surrounding the fair, of which this book didn't really do. I admit I was surprised at who the ultimate villain was in the book. That caught me off guard. Love it when books do that.
When I ended the book, I had to grab the next one, because I wanted to continue to read and see what happens to Eloisa who plays a key role in the ending of this first book.
I like the Downton Abbey/ Upstairs, Downstairs feel. I enjoyed the setting and the description. Even though I figured part of the mystery out early on, I still enjoyed hearing how the characters got to an answer. Rosalind & Reed's relationship could've been tied up a little quicker, rather than Rosalind constantly thinking "No" even after he showed her 500 million times. I have read some Christian fiction, not much, so I'm not sure what they're all like, but this one threw me because it felt like any time there was a reference to God it was just thrown in there as a reminder that this was Christian fiction & then went back on to how it was being told before. It made it feel slightly choppy. I still enjoyed it and will be finishing the series. Full review to come.
3/10 I totally thought it would be about the murder house in Chicago. Then it was like halfway through the author remembered it was supposed to be a Christian book.
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Hey, did you know that the world is dangerous for women? Like at the world’s fair, on the streets of Chicago, and in being in the same room with a man? It is. Super, super dangerous. If you didn’t know, it’s ok because the author will tell you every third sentence. Also, the characters’ faith is front and center, which is fine and all, but between the redundant descriptions, inane dialogue, and insultingly transparent plot, I found myself praying for an editor.
The last time I came across characterizations like this was in Louisa May Alcott’s The Inheritance. Her juvenile, unpublished work. That is not a compliment. That is 7 year old girls playing Barbies. (For those of you not in the know, this involves a perfect good Barbie, persecution of good Barbie by Bitch Barbie and Jerk ass Ken, and support/fairy tale ending for good Barbie with good Ken.)
Perhaps this review is not entirely fair because I did not finish the book. I looked at the progress and realized I still had 20% to go with no f’s left to be given, and I felt a genuine loss for the time I could be spending listening to something else.
The last time I came across characterizations like this was in Louisa May Alcott’s The Inheritance. Her juvenile, unpublished work. That is not a compliment. That is 7 year old girls playing Barbies. (For those of you not in the know, this involves a perfect good Barbie, persecution of good Barbie by Bitch Barbie and Jerk ass Ken, and support/fairy tale ending for good Barbie with good Ken.)
Perhaps this review is not entirely fair because I did not finish the book. I looked at the progress and realized I still had 20% to go with no f’s left to be given, and I felt a genuine loss for the time I could be spending listening to something else.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Wow! If you are fascinated by the upstairs-downstairs social divisions of the Gilded Age, you will find much to pique your interest between these pages. If you love a good suspense novel as well, then you will be as captivated as I was while reading Secrets of Sloane House, the first book in the Chicago World's Fair Mystery series. The treatment of the lower classes by the upper, the pressures to marry well, and two particularly heart-wrenching crimes will keep your emotions engaged - all of the above elements treated with exquisite grace and dignity by Ms. Gray, a fact which does not surprise me in the least. Woven through the tragedies and social ire is the warmth I have come to expect in a Shelley Gray novel, and the suspense is truly top-notch. A couple of plot twists even took this seasoned mystery reader by surprise! The sweet romance that blossomed between two unlikely souls was icing on this already delicious cake.
I wanted to love this book so badly. With a great premise, superb setting, promising plot, I was all set for a wonderful read set in a fascinating place and time - Chicago, during the fair! Boy, was I mistaken.
Man. I cannot remember the last time I was so disappointed in a book. The characters were shallow, the mystery predictable, the romance sappy and lazily plopped together. I was honestly so disappointed, and the worst part was, I wanted to love this book so badly. It had such promise. Unfortunately, Gray heavily flubs in this story. One star is generous.
Man. I cannot remember the last time I was so disappointed in a book. The characters were shallow, the mystery predictable, the romance sappy and lazily plopped together. I was honestly so disappointed, and the worst part was, I wanted to love this book so badly. It had such promise. Unfortunately, Gray heavily flubs in this story. One star is generous.