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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
*3 stars*
It doesn’t come close to A Curious Beginning also by the same author, but it was still pretty fun!
It doesn’t come close to A Curious Beginning also by the same author, but it was still pretty fun!
I feel the needs to shot Brisbane with some testosteron booster liquid.
MAN NEEDS TO ACT WHEN IT'S TIME TO ACT :(
But overall, quite enjoyable and fun ride.
3.8stars for the first book.
I hope the second one wouldn't betray me.
MAN NEEDS TO ACT WHEN IT'S TIME TO ACT :(
But overall, quite enjoyable and fun ride.
3.8stars for the first book.
I hope the second one wouldn't betray me.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. There were times when I felt like it was falling short of my expectations and other times when it exceeded them. I wanted to sense more chemistry between Lady Julia and Brisbane. But I am certainly looking forward to Lady Julia #2.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I vacillated back and forth on how I felt about this book most of the way through. It had some good aspects that I enjoyed, but it also had some things that just didn't connect for me at all. In the end the description "it was okay" that Goodreads uses to describe a two-star rating was the best way for me to settle on this book.
As other reviewers have noted, the character of Lady Julia seems to be trying to be a multitude of qualities, which in the end for me was simply not believable. She was sometimes painfully repressed and correct so utterly of her time. But at other points she was so modern as to push the boundaries far past credibility for me. I appreciate that the author was attempting to demonstrate Julia's wish to be more progressive, and to push past her self-imposed strictures, but it just did not ring plausible for me. I had a great difficulty maintaining a like for Julia as she vacillated between following the rules and breaking them. She also did some incredibly foolish things, and that always annoys me, especially in a female protagonist. I wanted better from Julia and she never *quite* got there for me.
Nicholas was a bit more likable for me, but again as others have noted, I did not feel any romantic connection between him and Julia at all. It just did not feel plausible and I couldn't suspend disbelief enough to see them as a romantic couple at all.
The story itself was well written and had some interesting, if disturbing and dark, aspects, but I like best books where I feel a real connection to the characters. That was missing for me in this book, so while it had its moments and I did finish it, I can't say I loved it. There are other series in this vein which worked better for me, such as Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby books.
As other reviewers have noted, the character of Lady Julia seems to be trying to be a multitude of qualities, which in the end for me was simply not believable. She was sometimes painfully repressed and correct so utterly of her time. But at other points she was so modern as to push the boundaries far past credibility for me. I appreciate that the author was attempting to demonstrate Julia's wish to be more progressive, and to push past her self-imposed strictures, but it just did not ring plausible for me. I had a great difficulty maintaining a like for Julia as she vacillated between following the rules and breaking them. She also did some incredibly foolish things, and that always annoys me, especially in a female protagonist. I wanted better from Julia and she never *quite* got there for me.
Nicholas was a bit more likable for me, but again as others have noted, I did not feel any romantic connection between him and Julia at all. It just did not feel plausible and I couldn't suspend disbelief enough to see them as a romantic couple at all.
The story itself was well written and had some interesting, if disturbing and dark, aspects, but I like best books where I feel a real connection to the characters. That was missing for me in this book, so while it had its moments and I did finish it, I can't say I loved it. There are other series in this vein which worked better for me, such as Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby books.
Light and frothy, but fun, Victorian mystery with a strong Romance subplot. Good for a fast, not too demanding read.
Due to The Great Pause, I have been unable to concentrate enough to read much of anything. Oddly enough, even though this book had lots of elements that usually I annoy me, I quite enjoyed it.
It’s got that Elizabeth Peters’ dynamic of a Victorian male and female Solving a Mystery while fighting irritably with each other.
It’s got a Victorian female with an unconventional upbringing so she resonates with modern readers’ world views.
It’s got the irritable male who is kinda tall, dark, mysterious and kinda perfect who is a brilliant violinist (“who doesn’t play much any more”) and a brilliant prize fighter.
Also there is a cat.
So it’s all a bit daft and silly. The mystery wasn’t bad though, there are enough interesting characters, so I look forward to the next one.
It’s got that Elizabeth Peters’ dynamic of a Victorian male and female Solving a Mystery while fighting irritably with each other.
It’s got a Victorian female with an unconventional upbringing so she resonates with modern readers’ world views.
It’s got the irritable male who is kinda tall, dark, mysterious and kinda perfect who is a brilliant violinist (“who doesn’t play much any more”) and a brilliant prize fighter.
Also there is a cat.
So it’s all a bit daft and silly. The mystery wasn’t bad though, there are enough interesting characters, so I look forward to the next one.
Maybe 3.5? It was okay. The first half was very slow and a little boring at times but it gradually got better and I kept finding myself wanting to pick it up again. The mystery was unconventional, the heroine was likeable and I feel like the next book will be better.
I loved this one! I loved Julia and all the other characters. I also loved the mystery and the murder weapon was a first! Excellent start to the series and there is so much more left to tell. Beautiful and evocative writing, 500+ pages flew by.
On to book 2!
On to book 2!