Scan barcode
bibliophiliac's review against another edition
3.0
Mystery set in 1920s London. Perfectly enjoyable read.
temi_m's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s an easy mystery read though the humour got a bit annoying.
thefabflamingo's review against another edition
I couldn’t get into the book, so I ended up DNF-ing it.
nataliemartin's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very light, murder mystery. Overall, I liked it well enough, but was a bit too slow for me. The extra bits about Lady Hardcastle, while I understand were part of the connection, just seemed a bit forced. I think the mystery would have been fine without it.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
The entertaining start of a new historical mystery series.
I had a lot of fun, found it well written and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
The characters are likeable and historical background vivid.
Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I had a lot of fun, found it well written and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
The characters are likeable and historical background vivid.
Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
nnniro411's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a nice spin off that I didn't expect but enjoyed. Always loved Skins and Dunn so it was great to see a book about them. The mystery was interesting and they had me invested in the murder. I actually got teary eyed at one point. Overall a fun read!! If you love Lady Hardcastle Mysteries then you will enjoy this.
debbie13410's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
fleurette's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first book by this author. I haven't read too many historical mysteries either. But I definitely liked this one.
I really liked the way this book is written. The author did a great job introducing the atmosphere of the 20's not only to the plot but also to the language of the book. And he did it with real humor and intuition. When you read a book, you can almost feel the atmosphere of jazz. Everything from the style of writing to the characters to the plot is permeated with it. This is a very well created 20's styling. At the same time, this story is written in a playful tone with a grain of salt. If you like this type of narrative, then you won't be disappointed.
Another strong point is the interesting and diverse characters. The book mostly focuses on three people – Dunn, his best friend Skins and Skins’ wife Ellie. This trio makes a very well-knit team, then you’ve got the other members of the Dizzy Heights band, just as colorful and fascinating. I really like the dynamics of the relationship between all these characters. Their friendly banter gives the book an additional humorous twist. They make a great team to which I will gladly come back in the next book. They are complemented by the Alphabet Gang - a group of potential suspects, which in itself is also very interesting and introduces another comic element.
And finally, we have an interesting and complicated criminal plot, still in the style of the 20s and novels from that time. Although I admit that the death of one of the characters at the beginning of the book surprised and saddened me. I wish it could have been avoided. And while I wasn't particularly surprised by who turned out to be the thief, watching Ellie and the guys try to solve it in their own unique way was great entertainment.
Also because of the fast pace which I like very much. There is a lot of exceptionally good dialogue here that effectively sets the pace and introduces this light, playful tone. Only at the beginning we get short information about Skins and Dunn's childhood and how they met. But it is not tiring or boring, it just allows us to quickly orientate ourselves in the situation and enjoy the novel. We get the rest without any problems throughout the story.
I definitely recommend this book to all those who like historical mysteries set in the 1920s and jazz musicians who, despite their grim wartime experiences, take little things seriously. Although this may not be a book for people who do not like any, even the smallest, mentions about the war (in this case the First World War), because the plot of this book refers to such events.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the way this book is written. The author did a great job introducing the atmosphere of the 20's not only to the plot but also to the language of the book. And he did it with real humor and intuition. When you read a book, you can almost feel the atmosphere of jazz. Everything from the style of writing to the characters to the plot is permeated with it. This is a very well created 20's styling. At the same time, this story is written in a playful tone with a grain of salt. If you like this type of narrative, then you won't be disappointed.
Another strong point is the interesting and diverse characters. The book mostly focuses on three people – Dunn, his best friend Skins and Skins’ wife Ellie. This trio makes a very well-knit team, then you’ve got the other members of the Dizzy Heights band, just as colorful and fascinating. I really like the dynamics of the relationship between all these characters. Their friendly banter gives the book an additional humorous twist. They make a great team to which I will gladly come back in the next book. They are complemented by the Alphabet Gang - a group of potential suspects, which in itself is also very interesting and introduces another comic element.
And finally, we have an interesting and complicated criminal plot, still in the style of the 20s and novels from that time. Although I admit that the death of one of the characters at the beginning of the book surprised and saddened me. I wish it could have been avoided. And while I wasn't particularly surprised by who turned out to be the thief, watching Ellie and the guys try to solve it in their own unique way was great entertainment.
Also because of the fast pace which I like very much. There is a lot of exceptionally good dialogue here that effectively sets the pace and introduces this light, playful tone. Only at the beginning we get short information about Skins and Dunn's childhood and how they met. But it is not tiring or boring, it just allows us to quickly orientate ourselves in the situation and enjoy the novel. We get the rest without any problems throughout the story.
I definitely recommend this book to all those who like historical mysteries set in the 1920s and jazz musicians who, despite their grim wartime experiences, take little things seriously. Although this may not be a book for people who do not like any, even the smallest, mentions about the war (in this case the First World War), because the plot of this book refers to such events.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
awanderingreader's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book and I want to thank the author for my advanced reader copy through #GoodreadsGiveaway.
I am absolutely going to read the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series now. I wish I had read it first now, as this is a spin-off of that series with what I'm assuming were some tertiary characters. I have to admit I am a jazz-hater, so I'm glad I did not have to hear the music throughout the book. That would have changed my impressions greatly.
The story centers around a jazz band, two of whose members, Skins and Dunn, have been coopted by Scotland Yard to help them find an army deserter turned jewel thief. The two consider themselves amateur comedians and they never take themselves very seriously, so the banter between the two is really fun. I also love the chemistry between Skins and his wife American wife, Ellie. Peppered throughout the book, the two argue about American vs. English versions of the same idioms and it's really funny.
I always enjoy a light, comedic mystery and this one does not disappoint. It kept me laughing all the way through and the mystery was well laid out. I had my suspicions, but I was not certain of the culprit until pretty close to the end.
I would highly recommend this book.
I am absolutely going to read the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series now. I wish I had read it first now, as this is a spin-off of that series with what I'm assuming were some tertiary characters. I have to admit I am a jazz-hater, so I'm glad I did not have to hear the music throughout the book. That would have changed my impressions greatly.
The story centers around a jazz band, two of whose members, Skins and Dunn, have been coopted by Scotland Yard to help them find an army deserter turned jewel thief. The two consider themselves amateur comedians and they never take themselves very seriously, so the banter between the two is really fun. I also love the chemistry between Skins and his wife American wife, Ellie. Peppered throughout the book, the two argue about American vs. English versions of the same idioms and it's really funny.
I always enjoy a light, comedic mystery and this one does not disappoint. It kept me laughing all the way through and the mystery was well laid out. I had my suspicions, but I was not certain of the culprit until pretty close to the end.
I would highly recommend this book.
txbookmama's review against another edition
3.0
PopSugar Reading Challenge 2021 - Prompt #6 - Gem, Mineral, or Rock in the Title
This is a cozy set in the 1920s in London. It has promise but I definitely felt like I was missing quite a bit of backstory from the author's other series (this is a spin-off, apparently.) The characters were all likeable and the setting was good. The villain was a bit obvious as was the big shocking cause of death and I didn't love the cliffhanger with the hidden diamonds. If I had read the other series, I'd definitely be into this one. It's just a bit hard coming in mid-stream.
This is a cozy set in the 1920s in London. It has promise but I definitely felt like I was missing quite a bit of backstory from the author's other series (this is a spin-off, apparently.) The characters were all likeable and the setting was good. The villain was a bit obvious as was the big shocking cause of death and I didn't love the cliffhanger with the hidden diamonds. If I had read the other series, I'd definitely be into this one. It's just a bit hard coming in mid-stream.